Posted by Joe on August 25, 2015
Touring Performances
Company Members
What is a sponsored singer?
A sponsored singer is a member of the larger Barrel of Monkeys family who wants to support our organization THROUGH SONG! It’s like when someone runs a marathon or sells cookies to make fundraising goals, BUT in this case these brave individuals are raising money through the power of Karaoke at our annual fundraiser Monkey-O-Kee! Buy your tickets or support Elise’s cause today!
More info about Elise:
Elise Mayfield is an actress and baker from Birmingham, AL. After graduating from Ole Miss, Elise moved to the Windy City, where’s she’s completed training programs at I.O., Second City Conservatory, The Artistic Home, and earned a M.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts from Columbia College Chicago. She is an ensemble member with The Ruckus Theater, where she performed in the recent production of Matawan. Elise has also been seen on stage with The New Colony, Tympanic Theatre, and Infusion Theatre. In addition to her theater pursuits, Elise is also a burgeoning baker and was seen on Season 5 of FOX’s MasterChef, where she cooked for chef/judges Gordon Ramsay, Graham Elliot, and Joe Bastianich. She runs a small catering company called Honey Baby Bakery, and enjoys throwing dinner parties and hosting cooking demonstrations. To find out more, visit elisemayfield.com.
More info about Monkey-O-Kee:
The moment you have all been awaiting is right around the corner! Our annual Monkey-O-Kee karaoke benefit will occur on Thursday, September 17 from 7pm-10pm at Mary’s Attic at Hamburger Mary’s 5400 N. Clark St. “What is it all about?” you may ask. It is all about supporting Barrel of Monkeys’ work in the Chicago Public Schools. Your attendance supports singing, laughing, and amazing stories written by children.
When you purchase a ticket for the extremely fair price of $30, you not only get the chance to support BOM’s work with Chicago’s youth – igniting their imaginations, boosting their self-esteem and improving literacy – but you ALSO get well cocktails, house wine, and domestic beers (including these signature house-brewed ales: “Blonde Bombshell” golden ale, “Mary Hoppins” pale ale, and “Gangster” hopped-up amber ale)... not to mention the karaoke, and therefore, entertainment in abundance.
Various and sundry other fun and fabulous activities will occur at the event, including a prize wheel, sponsored Monkey performances, and maybe a few surprises along the way.
If you buy your tickets online now you will receive two, count them TWO, free spins on the prize wheel! Could it get better? Possibly and likely, but you will only know if you show up.
WHEN: Thursday, September 17 from 7pm-10pm
WHERE: Mary’s Attic at Hamburger Mary’s 5400 N. Clark St. (2nd Floor)
TICKETS: $30
Get your tickets here!
Posted by Joe on August 10, 2015
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Did you know that every 4-8 weeks the cast shifts in That’s Weird, Grandma?
It’s true! And this weekend we welcome a whole new batch of actor-educators to the stage!
Come check out Monday’s show and see what new faces are playing your favorite roles!
Say, “Is she a country person?” to Ambar at the box office for discounted tickets!
See you at the show!
Joe
Posted by Joe on August 4, 2015
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Company Members
In the summer of 2005, Maggie Fullilove-Nugent met an incredible group of actor-educators while playing four-square by the lake. In August 2005, she began stage managing That’s Weird, Grandma, the best thing to do on a Monday night. And now, 10 YEARS LATER, she has found herself at the end of her tenure running this magical, hilarious and world-saving show.
Please come celebrate with Maggie and Barrel of Monkeys Productions on Monday August 10th.
7pm - Maggie’s Museum Opens (a fancy display of the last 10 years)
8pm - That’s Weird, Grandma (featuring some of Maggie’s favorite stories from over the years)
9pm - Reception to follow!
You can buy your tickets here (make sure to choose 8/10):
Also, Maggie’s goal is to raise $100 for every year she ran That’s Weird, Grandma. Please consider donating to Barrel of Monkeys when you buy your ticket or if you are unable to attend.
See you at the show!
Joe Schupbach
Artistic Director
Barrel of Monkeys
Posted by Joe on July 31, 2015
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Welcome Zoe Schwartz to the cast of That’t Weird, Grandma!
We are also adding a brand new story that is new to Grandma!
Here it is!
Life at School by Jessica P., Avondale-Logandale School
Setting: School
Characters: New girl, Popular girl, teacher, popular friend, and new girl’s friend named jade
New g: (come sin) Hello, I’m a new student
Poular g: (Nasty face) soooooo a new student (mean voice)
Teacher: (surprise) oh, class, there’s a new student.
New girl: My name is Josylen.
Popular g: (Starting to kill her) I hat her! (talks to friend)
Popular f: (surprise face) But why are you so mean? She’s new.
Popular g: Well yeah, but she is soooo pretty and nice, duh!
Popular fri: Well tried to be used to her.
Popular gL ok ugh
Teacher: Class please find a empty seat for our new student (nicely) please.
Popular Fri: There’s one between me and my friend Nancy.
Popular G: nit it’s saved!
Teacher: No one sits there.
New Girl: That’s ok, I’ll sit somewhere else.
New Girl Fri: Hey sit here Joslyn. (happyness)
New Girl: Ok (nicely)
Teacher: Finally you found a seat. Thanks Jade.
New girl f: no problem teacher.
Teacher: Class it’s time for lunch (nicely)
Teacher: (hears bell) Class you may dismiss for lunch.
New girl: ok teacher (same time)
New girls fri: ok teacher (same time)
Popular girl: (pushes new girl)
New girl: Ouch! (sadness)
New girl f: (felt upset for friend) Are you ok?
New girl: No (cries)
New girl f: Ok I’ll tell someone for help.
Popular girl: no your not! (pushes)
New girl f: (fells) ouch, well it won’t help (laughs) ha ha ha
Popular g: What.
New girl f: Your friend Holly told the teacher.
Popular g: What, why pal?
Popular girl friend: Sorry, but I know your plan at lunch.
New girl: (sniff)
New girl f: Ok Let’s go to class with Holly (goes to the classroom)
THE END :)
Say “soooooo a new student ” at the box office for discounted tickets!
See you at the show!
-Joe
Posted by Joe on July 24, 2015
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
This week’s That’s Weird, Grandma is a incredible journey into the minds of young people!
This week also includes the dark and troubling story KFP (Kentucky Fried People).
KFP by Jacob R., Almani C., Kemani B., Gabrielle S., Monica J., Jala B., Lashay E., Dixon Elementary School
It was a sunny day in Hawaii. Fred, the chicken sadnwich, was opening up KFP (Kentucky Fried People). On the roof was a blow-up chicken that was orange and holding a human heart. Shrimp, the dancing cucumber, went into the kitchen and saw Fred cutting up the food. But the food wasn’t chicken, it was people. She called the police (Devie & Stewie, who weren;t very smart) and when they came, Shrimp starting singing the KFP song. KENTUCKY FRIED PEOPLE, IS PEOPLE NOT CHICKEN *COME ON* The police started dancing. So they didn’t arrest Fred (Who just made his hit single that made $1000, and the album cover had a chicken sandwich with a human in his hand) Instead, Shrimp solved it by eating Fred. Shrimp says, “Sandwish. sw. sw.” THE END.
Say “Kentucky Fried People is people not chicken.” at the box office for discounted tickets!
See you at the show!
Joe
