Posted by Molly on December 2, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?
Already we’re in Week 4 of Round 2. We’re bringing back two holiday classics:
THE CRAZY REINDEER by Kajuan H., Henry Suder
The reindeer just didn’t know what to do, but he did it he didn’t know what to do because santa didn’t need him anymore because they were fighting and arguing. So the reindeer was going crazy, he didn’t eat all he did was go out side with a house coat and a silly houseshoes that didn’t really fit him. So he flew back to the north pole asking santacan he work for him. I won’t be crazy anymore. Then why you still have on the house coat. So the reindeer took the house coat off. So santa said all right then they were back friend again.
...and…
SANTA’S MEAN DAY by Devonte V, Reavis Academy
When Santa woke up, he was shocked to see four other people dressed just like him. He was so mad that he had to put his name on the bad list. The elf was shocked at him, that he put his name on the bad list. The elfs ask Santa, why is you so mean today? He said The elfs left so fast smoke came behind them. They said I wish Santa was not mean today. Then of on the elfs said I got it. We can throw a not mean party. Everybody can come and tell Santa do not be mean. We can have milk and cookies for snacks because Santa loves milk and cookies. then we can get the things to put up. Then we can put upSanta’s favorite game. And then Santa came down stairs. Then everybody said Surprise and I love you. THE END.
Additionally, we will celebrate the return of Manual Cinema, performing…
HAIR FEAR!!!!! By Sheriff N., Dixon Elementary
Once upon a time their was me so then I start growing hair I was mad so I went to the shop so I cut it off and it came back so I cut it it got bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger so I cut it off so I couldn’t so that’s how I got hair!
...and we welcome the Factory Theatre with their adaptation of…
THE CHRISTMAS MONSTER!! By Dinora S, Columbia Explorer’s Academy
One day it was Christmas. I slept in the couch. I was 5 years old. I slept. Then I heard a sound, it was very loud. I got outside. It was an alien. It had a beard. I thought it was fake. I took off the mask, it was a huge gigantic monster and it was ugly too. It smelled very very bad. I ran and he was trying to eat me. But it did. It smelled very bad. The water was very green. I was in the water, my skin was a skeleton! THE END
Come one, come all!
If you want discounted tickets, make sure to say: “Take off that housecoat” at the box office. See you soon!
Posted by Joe on November 27, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
Chicago’s Weird, Grandma will feature The Factory Theater & Manual Cinema on December 3
Here is an interview between you and Barrel of Monkeys’ Artistic Director, Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about the Factory Theatre
Molly: Factory Theater is a theater organization dedicated to the writing, directing, performance and production of original works written by ensemble members that are accessible to inexperienced as well as seasoned theatergoers. Since 1992 they have produced 55 productions that have been enjoyed by both critics and audience members. I am an Emeritus Member myself, and Factory produced three plays I wrote during the mid-nineties. Factory’s work is Chicago’s work. Their plays reflect the diversity and determination of this town..
You: What will the Factory Theatre bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: Factory uses a variety of styles including farce, camp, musical comedy, noir, and heightened realism. Their actors come to the stage with explosive energy and joy for storytelling. I am very excited to see how they The Christmas Monster. Here is the original story:
THE CHRISTMAS MONSTER!! By Dinora S, Columbia Explorer’s Academy
One day it was Christmas. I slept in the couch. I was 5 years old. I slept. Then I heard a sound, it was very loud. I got outside. It was an alien. It had a beard. I thought it was fake. I took off the mask, it was a huge gigantic monster and it was ugly too. It smelled very very bad. I ran and he was trying to eat me. But it did. It smelled very bad. The water was very green. I was in the water, my skin was a skeleton! THE END
You: How else can I experience the Factory Theatre if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: “Toast of the Town” is their current production, playing through December 15 at Prop Thtr. Discover Factory!
You: Tell me about Manual Cinema.
Molly: Manual Cinema is a collaboration between puppeteers/graphic artists Julia Miller, Drew Dir and Sarah Fornace, with musician/composers Kyle Vegter and Ben Kauffman. Their process combines handmade shadow puppetry, cinematic motifs, and live sound manipulation to create immersive theatrical stories. Their tools are paper, acetate, ink, light, air pressure, and overhead projectors. They love dreamscapes, landscapes, sound-scapes, feet, hands, space, small delicate sounds, and animating the inanimate.
You: What will Manual Cinema bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: Manual Cinema creates in a way that is very different from Barrel of Monkeys, and I am excited to see their adaptation of “Hair Fear!!!!!” by Sheriff N., Dixon Elementary. It will be lovely to have something so highly technical on our stage!
You: How else can I experience Manual Cinema if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: Manual Cinema will be presenting the World Premiere of Lula Del Ray at the Den Theatre, November 29-December 16. Receive more information!
Discover Manual Cinema
Get tickets today to join in on the fun!
Posted by Molly on November 25, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
This week we add RHINESTONES OR GLITTER, STICKERS VS CRAYONS from Dixon Elementary.
This piece is a combination of group dialogue and individual monologues, compiled, adapted and directed by BOM’s own Rachel Wilson!
Below is all of the original source material
RHINESTONES OR GLITTER, STICKERS VS CRAYONS
By Kristina T, Heaven B, Dayanna C, Hannah D
Characters: Glitter Queen, Rhinestone Fairy, Crayon Princess, Sticker Queen
Setting: Art Kingdom
Glitter Queen: (looking over to RF) Have you seen Crayon Princess destroying Sticker Queen’s garden?
Rhinestone Fairy: Not around!
Sticker Queen: (going out to garden) Who did this?!
Rhinestone: (looking for evidence of crayons) There she is
Crayon Princess: Were you looking for me?
Glitter: (looking angry) This is a glittaster! I’m calling the Glitter Squad.
Rhinestone: (going over to CP) Have you seen Glitter Queen, I need her for my art class.
(Glitter Queen waves to Rhinestone “we were just talking”)
Sticker Queen: (walking frantically) Oh my stickers, I know who did it!
Crayon Princess: (here come glitter police) Oh crayons, I should go.
Rhinestone Fairy: (looking suspicious) Why not stay for the art splash.
Glitter Queen: (looking like a hero) Too late, give me your crayons.
Sticker Queen: (bragging) That’s what you get for messing with my stickers!
Rhinestone: Ha ha ha ha ha ha.
Glitter: (sprinkling glitter dust everywhere) I’m a glit star!
Crayon: (shaking fist) I’ll color you again!
“Sticker Queen Adventure” by Dayanna C.
I have been up to great things since you guys left! I traveled the world in 100 days. I’ve even been on a game show called “Crazy Talk!” As you can see, I have a lot of things to see and lots to do. Since Crayon Princess left I would love to tell you about my climb up Rhinestone Mountain! So I was slowly climbing up the paint snow covered gaps!” I’m near the!” I said. But then I saw the bed of sticker flowers waving in the thin air. I broke. “Oh, my stickers. Those flower stickertastic, I’m taking all of these beautiful flowers!” Now I at the top! I stabbed my scratch-and-sniff sticker in the top of the mountain and called the glitter chopper and I flew home and kept that memory forever! Well so did the news and reporters. Well who am I kidding, everyone kept their memory until next time I am Sticker Queen, goodbye!
(P.O.V. of Rhinestone Fairy) by Kristina T.
When Crayon Princess said where you looking for me. How did she know that I was looking for her. And why would she say that. She must have know that she was in trouble because she said oh my Crayons. I should go And when crayons princess said I’ll color you again, she should have done it like she meant it. When she shook her fist. She could have acted like she meant it. I would locked her because that’s what she got for messing with Sticker Queen garden.
(Glitter Queen P.O.V.) by Heaven B.
I’m Glitter Queen and the last episode I did Color Princess got sent to Art Prison.
GQ: Whew! That was a lot of work with the Crayon Princess.
SQ: I am so sad that my stickers are messed up.
GQ: I call the glitter squad (calling)
RSF: That was fast but I have to go polish my rhinestones.
SQ: Oh wait my sticker phone is ringing (answer).
CP: HI it’s me Crayon Princess. They set me free. I’ll be waiting for you.
SQ: Ahh! Guys they set her free!
GQ: Oh my glitter this is another glitaster!
SQ: Call Rhinestone Fairy! (Calling)
RSF: I’m here! What happened?
SQ: They let Crayon Princess free!
GQ: Here we go again.
RSF: I have a plan! We go to Crayon’s house and lock everything!
G!: Great plan, I’ll get the glitter glue!
SQ: I’ll get the sticker gun!
Additionally, we welcome DEAN EVANS, who will perform MAGICAL HORSE by Journey B., Dixon Elementary
Once upon a time there was Journey a simple 9 year old then one day she took horse riding lessons. The horse started to gallop it was my first time so I wanted to stop so I said stop. The horse got mad and grew angel black wings an dsaid next time you have lessons with me you should know I’m not going to stop. Then he flew away with me into another galaxy and to his home dumped me into the trash went to go use it and then that’s when I escaped took his car drove myself back home and kept his car. I made an underground machine where my friends and whole family lived forever. I never went back to those lessons again. THE END
Come on out and see a bunch of amazing stories.
For discounted tickets, say “Go to sleep” at the box office.
See you there!
Posted by Lindsey D on November 25, 2012
After School Program
Here at Barrel of Monkeys, we get to tackle some pretty compelling questions. Questions like:
“What does food talk about when you close the fridge?”
“What happens when there is a Pizza Shortage and you normally eat pizza ALL THE TIME?”
and “What did Pocahontas name her five kids?”
Friends, not even William Shakespeare himself was brave enough to take on these age-old quandaries, but the writers at the Loyola Park After school Program are more than up for the task. Now as we near the end of rehearsals for our Loyola Park show, the Monkey Actors are glad to know what goats would say if they could talk, what kind of cows live on the Moo Planet, and what it felt like to survive the Chicago Fire.
And now, some pictures:
Here some Barrel of Monkey cast members focus on learning the “Gangnam Style” dance that Zoe showed you in the last blog post. Look at that Intense Concentration!
Brandon, Brenda, and Melissa dance like baby snakes. You didn’t know baby snakes could dance? Well, now you know.
Zoe tries to befriend an alien (Caleb). Could this be the worst first day of school ever…or the best?!
Now I am off to perfect my “Russian Dwarf Hamster” dialect and practice singing about Pies You Can’t Have for tomorrow’s show. Go Loyola Park!
Posted by Zoe on November 23, 2012
School Shows
After School Program
Ah, November. The last few leaves are tumbling to the ground, the days are becoming increasingly darker and colder, and three months of frozen toes lurk just around the corner. As you sit in your car and groan that the airwaves are already polluted with christmas music, fret not! I am here to say “Take solace my sweet friends!” I have found a glorious place of warmth and delight to make this annual transition into winter a GREAT one. And NO, I’m not talking about a certain holiday where you recently cozied up to your besties and stuffed yourself until you could not possibly fit anymore cranberry turkey pumpkin pie into your belly. I speak of the Loyola Park After School Program Fall Show!!!!
This show is made up of stories from 21 incredible students at the Loyola Park After School Program. In case you don’t know- The Loyola Park Program encompasses students from across the city from ages 7-13 and runs for the entire school year. There are three shows throughout the course of the year. The first two are set up as regular BOM school shows (Ensemble and Company members read, adapt and perform stories) but the third show gives some of the older students a chance to get in on the adaptation process and perform their own stories for their peers, friends and family. Its pretty much awesome. But thats later in the year. Lets get back to this tremendous line up of stories being featured this coming Monday!
This show has is all! A stolen White House! Luxury cars! A walking and talking goat! A glimpse into the beautiful life of Pocahontas and John Smith! A war between gerbils and hamsters! Elvis! Pie you can’t have! Puppets! Smart pens! Pigs! The Olympics! Zombie cheese cows! Three beautifully composed songs! I bet you want a sneak peak, don’t you? Ok, FINE. If you’re going to twist my arm about it.
Rani and Justin practice lifts while portraying a very accurate relationship between a girl and her cat.
Caleb falls to the ground after being knocked out by two very excitable characters- Captain Loaded Underpants and Ultra Fart Fruit!
Meredith and Nick take a break to ponder the age old question: pretzel crisp or regular pretzel?
And last but not least, here is a short film of the cast perfecting our moves to the hit song Oppa Gangnum Style. (For those of you who may not know about this internet sensation: Oppa Gangnam Style is by Korean pop star Psy and has made its way into the hearts of millions including almost every child under the age of 15. I can assure you, this will not be the last time you see or hear Psy on a monkey stage this school year. Psy is to 2012 as Bieber was to 2010.)
LP FALL GANGNAM STYLE from Barrel of Monkeys on Vimeo.
In the midst of these 21 stories, this show also features three brand new Monkeys- Taylor, Mara, and Gwen- and two volunteer teachers- Justin and Melissa!!! They are all doing an amazing job and taking very nicely to their first BOM school show process!
Don’t you feel warmer already!?
