By now, if you spend your time checking the Barrel of Monkeys blog and facebook page and other cyber-endeavors, you’ve probably noticed that we’re in the running for a $20,000 grant from Chase Bank. In reality, you’ve probably noticed again, and again, and again. At times, it seems it’s all we’re talking about—but it’s for very good reason. Each of your votes so far have been HUGE in helping push BOM towards receiving a hefty sum of money that will let us reach even more Chicago kids in even better ways. And hey, That’s Weird, Grandma may even get funnier as a side-effect.
But, all explanations aside, we just wanted to say thank you to each and every one of you that have supported us. With just over 1,000 votes and a few days left in the contest, that means that each of your votes are like a fresh, crisp $20 bill going from your hands to ours. If you gave someone a $20 bill in real life, you’d get a hug, or at least a high-five. Since you’re giving us a $20 bill in the Internets-world, we’d like to give you a big internet hug and a high-five.
We’ll be updating a Thank-You video each and every day for those of you who have voted and will be getting around to voting.
So far, we have Tuesday’s video—a titillating, choreographed dance by classically-trained Amanda and post-post-modernly-trained Johnny.
And Wednesday’s video—an infomercial-style (but good!) reading by Elizabeth of some of the students’ comments regarding Barrel of Monkeys and their experiences with them in school.
If you have the luxury of having Monday off work, That’s Weird, Grandma on Monday night, just might be the perfect last hurrah to your 4th of July weekend.
One of the new stories, Chinese Food, features a fat lady who eventually goes crazy because food is talking to her. Katie plays the femme fatale. Here is a picture.
This is just a rehearsal costume. The costume on Monday night will be even more glorious!
In the other new story, What a Life, Fingers?, Meyah is having trouble doing her homework because her fingers keep smashing into each other.
Another week, another two stories with superior plots.
You can receive $2 off at the box office by uttering the words ‘Kung Pao’.
Interactive running order is below.
See you at the plays!
Voting for BOM to gain greater financial independence!
We still need your help! And, since you are a busy American celebrating your independence, it is fast and FREE!
We are doing pretty well in the Chase Community Giving contest on Facebook; we currently have over 560 votes! But sadly, we are slipping in the rankings. Only the top 200 groups will receive funding. We are still in line to receive $20,000, but we need a strong push of votes from you and your friends to help keep us there.
Please help us strengthen and deepen our work in Chicago’s schools by voting for us and by sending this post/link/or your own message to any of your friends on Facebook too.
THANK YOU! And remember - there IS a performance of “That’s Weird, Grandma” on Monday, July 5. Come see the show, have some laughs, and feel pride in your country,
pride in our students’ weapons for change,
and pride in knowing you are helping Barrel of Monkeys continue to save the world!
In all my time directing TWG, I have never seen a phenomenon like the one that transpired last week.
Often, new pieces in the show take a week or two to find their legs. In many cases, these new pieces aren’t the most popular upon debut, but, with time, become hits. Last week, the two new pieces, A Guy without Manners and Monster at the Movie were the two most popular pieces in the show!! Instant classics.
So, if you haven’t seen these suckers (and you HAVEN’T unless you were there last week) come on up!
On top of it all, joining the fun this week are:
The Grandma and the Cat- wherein Grandma succinctly sings some compelling reasons as to why there should be ‘no more cats’.
Untitled (Movie)- wherein James cannot remember his part in the class film. What will they do!
$2 off password, or rather passphrase to utter at the box office shall be….‘no more cats’.
See you there!
Updated runlist is below for your interactive pleasure.
Barrel of Monkeys put on their grownup shoes and dress pants this week to attend the TCG (Theatre Communications Group) Conference. We were able to get a grant from the League of Chicago Theatres and the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation that enabled us to attend. We met a lot of interesting people from all over the country, and even parts of the UK, and got to share information about all the interesting theatre work that is happening all over. It was inspiring and exciting.
What was also exciting was to be able to share with all those folks all the incredible theatre that is happening right here in Chicago. Throughout the conference, “pop-up” performances would, well, pop up at various points of the day. You would be walking to Montrose Room 5 for your panel discussion on board development and BOOM, theatre would happen right in your face. Chicago theatre companies, including BOM, were asked to present 4-minute theatre pieces that could be presented say, by the bank of elevators, or by the Womens Restroom or even while on your way to Montrose Room 5 as people scurried to snag a seat in the breakout session on board development. It was kind of great to watch people be accosted by people making and presenting theatre on their way to go talk about theatre.
Barrel of Monkeys chose a wonderful piece to perform called “Two Thinking Tigers” presented by Luke Hatton, Rani Waterman and a third BOM company member in disguise. I think its befitting that our pop-up performance had to do with tigers. Cuz the thing about tigers is, they can pop out of nowhere. And you certainly won’t expect to find them in a fancy hotel. Or in a car. Here is a picture of the trio getting ready to perform their “tigerocity.” And yes, those couches were extremely comfortable. 100 points for the person who can guess the mystery person sitting betwixt these fine actors. Extra 50 points if you can guess what Rani is thinking at this exact moment.
We were able to film the performance and you can also watch all the cool pop-up performances here. I hope I didn’t ruin the element of surprise by telling you where you could find them.
