Posted by Heidi on February 12, 2009
Monkey Fans, get excited. Monkey-o-kee is THIS WEEKEND!! Yay!!!
We’re expecting a great turnout and a great party. There will be hilarious karaoke performances from some of your favorite company members, some great activities, and just generally fun times. Not to mention a ton of really good prizes up for grabs on the prize wheel!
However, we’ve noticed that some of you haven’t yet purchased your tickets. Why is that? hmmmm?
It’s so easy! You can buy online! And wait! There’s More! Advance online purchase will give you two free spins of the prize wheel. Can’t beat that.
If you can not attend, but would like to make a donation to support our efforts in the under-served Chicago Public Schools, you can also do so online.
Help your favorite performer reach their ticket-sales goal by giving them credit for your contribution or ticket sale.
More information here.
(Please remember, this event is held at a bar. Thus 21 and over only, please).
Posted by Tai on February 8, 2009
School Shows
School Residencies
The Columbia Explorers show is tomorrow morning, and today our dedicated cast is reviewing their lines and practicing their dance moves. Yesterday was the last of our six rehearsals. The BOM adaptation and rehearsal process is fast and furious, and can leave us feeling a little crazy at times:
RSS readers: click on the post title to view this video!
As I mentioned previously, the teaching team for this residency tried out some new additions to the usual BOM curriculum. Week 3, normally True Story Day, became a day to explore characters and settings that the kids were most familiar with: those around their school and homes. We brainstormed people, places, and things that the kids encountered on a daily basis in their neighborhood: teachers, friends, family members; Pete’s Market, Dulcelandia, McKinley Park; trains, trees, and graffiti. We brainstormed “what if” scenarios: what if aliens landed in McKinley Park? What if the Kedzie stop on the Orange Line was overrun with zoo animals? Then, in the usual fashion, the kids wrote and performed group stories utilizing these elements, and had time for individual writing.
This exercise inspired stories such as “The Magical Place,” by Dulce H., where she finds a hidden room inside the local McDonald’s, full of “all the things a girl could want.”
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Posted by Heidi on February 7, 2009
That's Weird Grandma
There are so many reasons to see this week’s show, I can hardly stand it.
First, all the students from our Loyola Park After-School Program are coming to the show. It’ll be great. A few of them have stories in right now, and it’s always really exciting to have a famous author in the house.
Second, the new stories are excellent. I say that every week, it’s true, and I always mean it (also true), but I extra mean it this week. First, “A Sad Man Named Boogie” features a football player who falls on the ground when trying to punch someone (spoiler alert: the Bears lose). The other new story, “Animales en Amor Peligroso Parts 1 & 2” I will leave unspoiled. Suffice it to say that it is two delightful dialogues.
Third, fan favorites the Dance of Yousaill and Going to the Party remain in the running order. Going to the Party has been in the show since July 2008, and Yousail since September 2008. Both keep getting lots of votes on the ballots each week, and don’t seem likely to leave any time soon. If you haven’t seen either of these stories, than it has really been far too long since you last saw the show, and you should get thee to the Neo-Futurarium!
Fourth, we will be giving away many free passes to a special February 12th screening of the new IMAX movie “Under the Sea 3D” at Navy Pier. You’ll want that, right?
Running order after the jump!
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Posted by Tai on January 28, 2009
School Shows
School Residencies
Rehearsals for the Columbia Explorers show started yesterday. I’m very excited about the show. This residency was a blast, but I wouldn’t expect any less from the kids at this school. The four-class residency was split between two days per week, with myself and volunteer Mariah on Tuesdays, Kate and volunteer Mani on Wednesdays, and rockstars Ricky, Jason, and Sarah teaching both days.
Barrel of Monkeys has been teaching at Columbia Explorers Academy for years, since back when it was called Davis-Shields Elementary, and is the birthplace of “That’s Weird, Grandma” favorites Cereal Story and Untitled (Astronauts).
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Posted by Katie Marie on January 27, 2009
School Shows
Monkey friends! The New Sullivan show is almost upon us (Thursday! Thursday!) and, really, no word describes it better than “delicious”. Molly’s healthy and hearty baked goods aside, this show is full of mouth-watering yumminess.
Would you like a sample?
Take “A Girl in Her Kitchen” by Elizabeth A., a tale of loneliness, friendship, and Chinese food made of diamonds.
Still hungry?
How about a fast-paced (Seriously fast-paced, people. Like a hummingbird on espresso fast-paced.) dialogue from Fernando G., which takes place between two friends over some cake, a cookie and a lollypop? Sugar…
Need more? Seriously?
Try some “I Am the President of the Map”, an argument by Skye T. and Kemala B., which begins: “I believe that the world will be a girly place. 1. My first reason is I want ponies and cupcakes and they will be pink. The girls will have on pink sparkle dress.” See Joe below, demonstrating pink cupcakes (Sans pink sparkle dress. Sorry.)
Not to brag or anything, but this show is going to be a decadent 20-course meal fit for kings. New Sullivan had better bring their elastic-waisted pants…
