Posts related to TWG.
Posted by Molly on October 8, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
The tremendous cast of Chicago’s Weird, Grandma features:
Eric Deshaun Dorris
Diana Lawrence
Jeff Trainor
Nicholas Hart
Dan Rumney
Linsey Falls
Michelle Alba
Zoe Schwartz
Dixie Uffelman
Rachel Wilson
Elizabeth Levy
Each week, we will have Special Guest Stars adapt and perform a story from our students.
Opening week Guests are:
The House Theatre of Chicago
and
Steppenwolf Theatre Company!
Make your reservations now to enjoy such favorites as “The Ugliest Twin Girls” and “ISAT Werewolf Day” in addition to the Grandma premiere of “Twilight”.
Password for discounted tickets is “Do you know who I am?” Ask that at the box office for a discount!
See you there!
Posted by Joe on October 1, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
Touring Performances
A week from today Chicago’s Weird, Grandma opens with…
A special adaptation by House Theatre of Chicago!
Come see the House celebrate students work.
Here is an interview between you and our artistic director Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about The House Theatre of Chicago
Molly: The House Theatre of Chicago strives to “unite Chicago in the spirit of Community through amazing feats of Storytelling.” They had a huge impact on the Chicago scene in 2002 with “The Terrible Tragedy of Peter Pan.” They set a precedent for themselves to tell these sweeping epic stories that are familiar and strike the heart and the psyche. Using a variety of storytelling techniques, these guys manage to build these massive-scale productions in intimate spaces. In all the shows I’ve seen there’s this feeling of conjuring. Like they’re making magic. There’s often a danger element, too, which of course I always dig. One of my very favorite experiences as an actor in Chicago was being part of “Curse of the Crying Heart”, in which I got to play a flying Samurai. This is the kind of thing they do: Putting actors on wires with swords in their hands and having them fight a demon, accompanied by a live rock band.
You: What will The House Theatre of Chicago bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: The House is in the business of epic storytelling. I’m looking forward to an adaptation of a BOM kid’s story that has this massive feel to it. Four House Company Members (Marika Mashburn, Dixie Uffelman, Chris Mathews and Cliff Chamberlain…oh, wait, and me!) also work with Barrel of Monkeys. So I know that this team has what we call “the Monkey Heart”, which is full of respect and celebration for our authors’ work and a drive to work at the top of one’s artistic power.
You: How else can I experience The House Theatre of Chicago if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: There are two things you can see right now:
The Beginning of their New Trilogy, The Iron Stag King: Part One, has stampeded on to the Chopin stage. Nathan Allen and Chris Mathews co-wrote it, and it features two Monkeys: Cliff Chamberlain and Ezekiel Sulkes. It runs through October 21. A word of advice: Sit “in the box” (you’ll see what I mean) and go for the front row. Go to their website for showtimes and tickets.
Also, the House’s Dennis Watkins, a Magician literally from generations of Magicians, does his spectacular act in an intimate setting: a secret room at the Palmer House. Friday nights only! Learn more information and get reservations.
Learn more about Chicago’s Weird, Grandma!
Posted by Joe on September 11, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
Touring Performances
Company Members
THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA IS TAKING A THREE WEEK BREAK!
Figure 1. TWG IS A CATERPILLAR CLIMBING INTO A THREE-WEEK COCOON TRANSFORMING INTO A BRAND NEW SHOW.
Barrel of Monkeys (BOM) kicks off its 15th season with an all new, cross-disciplinary extravaganza titled “Chicago’s Weird, Grandma”.
Figure 2. IN THE COCOON, BARREL OF MONKEYS IS JOINING FORCES WITH CHICAGO ARTISTIC HEAVY HITTERS FOR ALL NEW “CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA”.
Company Members From Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Lookingglass Theatre Company, House Theatre of Chicago, The Hypocrites, Factory Theater, and Many More Present Their Take on Kids’ Stories From BOM Residencies. Company members from each guest organization will use elements of theater, experimental dance, puppetry, clowning and vaudeville-inspired performance art to transform the creative writings of third, fourth and fifth grade CPS and Chicago Park District students into original sketches and songs.
Figure 3. THE COCOON BURTS OPEN AND A BRAND NEW MAGICAL MONDAY NIGHT SHOW EMERGES.
“This is an exciting celebration of the BOM tribe, and an opportunity for the Chicago theatre community to celebrate with us the incredible imaginations of our young authors, the participants in ‘Chicago’s Weird, Grandma’ are all heavy hitters, from the groundbreaking ensemble that is Steppenwolf Theatre to last year’s Tony-Award Winning Lookingglass to Chicago’s signature late night Neo-Futurists. This is a series not to be missed.”
-Molly Brennan, Artistic Director, Barrel of Monkeys
Figure 4. YOU COME TO SEE THE SHOW; YOU HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE; WORLD SAVED
CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA
Monday, October 8 through December 17 at 8 p.m.
at the Neo-Futurist Theatre, 5153 N. Ashland.
Tickets for all performances are $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12.
For tickets, reservations or information call 312-409-1954
or visit www.playmakerslab.org
BUY TICKETS TODAY
See you in three weeks!
Monkey On,
Barrel of Monkeys
Posted by Molly on September 10, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Join us tonight for the final show of TWG for 2011/12.
We are adding a gem from the Celebration of Authors 2011 hit: “The First Kid in the NFL.”, music composed by Company Member Jeff Trainor and starring Musical Director Ricky Harris!
The First Kid in the NFL
By: Jamon T, Paderewski
One day I was with Green Bay Packers and I was going. Was play and then they stuck me in then I was playing for the green bay packer and I got a touchdown I was happy I was the first kid in the NFL we won then we want to the superbowl and won and I got a ring and a car one I let my mom have it and my said she like them. I played a lot of and we won and we made it to the superbowl 18 times and won I won 20 ring 15 interception wehn I was 50 I retired I played my last superbowl 58 ring I gave my mom 12 rings and I made $5,000,000,000,000.
Say “twelve fingers” at the box office for discounted admission!
We will be taking a brief hiatus, and returning to the Neofuturarium on October 8, with an amazing new cast, PLUS special guest The House Theatre of Chicago!
See you tonight!
Posted by Molly on September 2, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
After your hot dogs and potato salad, hike on over to the Neo for some great theater!
That’s Weird, Grandma presents: TWO NEW STORIES FROM THE 2011/12 SCHOOL YEAR:
Untitled (we should cook Ricky) by Kadiatu S, Ms. McGinley
Dewey 2012
I belive that we should cook Ricky becaue I think he will taste good with some catfish I will got it all so come on Ricky I want to cat you please.
I persway Ricky.
Little Princess and the Mom
by Perla G and Brianna V
Avondale Logandale
Characters: Princess, Mom
Setting: Castle
P: Mom, would you buy me a puppy? (excited)
M: No. (angry)
P: Please Mom. (sad)
M: Okay.
P: Thank you mom. I love you (happy)
Part 2.
P: Mom, I love my new puppy because it’s brown and soft and cute, (excited)
M: I love the puppy too. (happy)
P: Mom, can I go outside and play with my new puppy? (excited)
M: Okay, you can go outside.
P: Thank you Mom.
The End
Part 3.
P: Mom, I lost Fluffy.
M: Okay, calm down. We can go and find her.
P: If we don’t find her. (sad)
M: Wait, I found her.
P: Where is Fluffy?
M: She is in the tree.
P: Oh fluffy I miss you so much. (happy)
the end
Share with the box office staff your reason to cook Ricky and receive a discounted ticket!
