Posted by Elizabeth on November 20, 2008
That's Weird Grandma
Barrel of Monkeys Monday night show “That’s Weird, Grandma” has been lauded by Time Out Chicago as “The best reason [...] to live in Chicago on a Monday.”
Well, thank you, that’s very kind.
In recent weeks, there have been many reasons why it’s good to live in Chicago. I mean, seeing so many of our fellow Chicagoans in the news, how can you not feel a tremendous sense of pride? Barack Obama. Michelle Obama. Every single person who went to the rally in Grant Park on Election Night. Not to mention our very own Congressman, Rahm Emanuel, the next White House Chief of Staff.
Minus most of the people at the rally, I don’t know any of these people personally; but here they go, off to be even more important than they already were. From now on they will be surrounded by guards and armored vehicles and other protective devices. But for awhile, they were just ours. If you say “I live off the Berwyn red line stop”—they would know what that meant. If you say “I went to Stockton Elementary School,” they would probably know where that was. If you say “I just saw a great show full of stories written by kids and performed by adults in Andersonville,” Rahm Emanuel would know what you were talking about. Because he came to see “That’s Weird, Grandma.” He brought his lovely family, and I even went up to him afterwards and handed him one of our CDs and DVDs and thanked him for coming to the show (because another member of our staff, who shall remain nameless, was too starstruck to do it herself. Ahem.)
I am continually excited to be a part of “That’s Weird, Grandma” because it continues the lives of our students’ stories, and shares them with people who live all over Chicago. I like that on one cold night in December, one of the people who came to hear these stories will now go (back) to the White House.
So while Rahm Emanuel helps to make history in the halls of that house, I know in the back of my mind that he will remember the story of another house. A house built for 100 elves, 1 bathroom, and a whole mess of trouble.
Posted by Heidi on November 17, 2008
That's Weird Grandma
I know Monkey Fan, I know. It’s been a long couple of weeks without “That’s Weird, Grandma” in your life.
We’re sorry about that, but our performers need a break and the Neos need a chance to tech their upcoming holiday show (which is going to be awesome). So we’re on hiatus for one more week.
We’ll be back next week and you’ll see some holiday stories start to work their way in pretty quickly. Just what is Santa’s favorite game?
Posted by Heidi on November 3, 2008
That's Weird Grandma
Friendly Reminder: there’s no “That’s Weird, Grandma” tonight.
If you head to the theater, you’ll be treated to the last performance of Theater Oobleck’s election play. Which I hear good things about, but I’m pretty sure is not written by children.
We’re off next week too, and the week after. But we’ll be back well-rested and ready for the holiday season on November 24th!
Posted by Heidi on October 31, 2008
That's Weird Grandma
In the immortal words of Rachel, Barrel of Monkeys is tired.
So we’re taking a couple of weeks off from “That’s Weird, Grandma”. There will be no performances November 3, 10, 17th. Yes, that’s right: Your next chance to see the show is November 24th.
This is the first time we’ve taken Mondays off since April, and as you can imagine we’re all looking forward to a little rest after the summer, Fancy Schmancy, and all the rest.
In honor of Halloween, please enjoy the following story and accompanying illustration by Jose R., who was in the 4th grade at Columbia Explorers academy when he wrote it in 2004.
Posted by Heidi on October 28, 2008
That's Weird Grandma
Thank you again to everyone who participated in the “Free Night of Theater” promotion. We got some fabulous crowds as a result and hope that we’ll see many of you back again in the near future.
More than 120 people were introduced to “That’s Weird, Grandma” because of this nation-wide promotion and we hope that those of you who were able to attend the reception last night got a chance to ask the actors/staff any of your burning questions about the show. If not, remember you can always contact us for more information!
We look forward to participating again next year.
