Posts related to TWG.
Posted by Molly on August 6, 2011
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Marika Mashburn, BOM Company Member, shares with us her actor’s journey into the creation of her award-winning performance of “Daisy” from “Daisy Never Learned”, a current story in That’s Weird, Grandma. Supporting actress Elizabeth Levy, and male lead Tim Soszko give amazing performances as well.
“Daisy? Daisy. Forget it.” These words haunt me, echoing through my brain like so many footsteps down a lonely corridor.
My name is Marika Mashburn, and I originated the title role from Daisy Never Learned, a heartbreaking tale brought to us by Vanessa M. from the Little Village school. I remember the day we adapted this staggering and gut-wrenching story. So many questions arose. So few answers. Why couldn’t Daisy see Jimmy, the boy who’d given her his heart? Why wouldn’t she answer? And why, oh why, did she never learn?
We are reminded of the timeless classic, Romeo and Juliet, another fable that is fraught with conflict, regret, misunderstanding and, eventually, peril. Daisy loves Jimmy, her Romeo, but so many things stand in the way of their young adoration. When he speaks, she cannot hear. When he stands right next to her, she cannot see. There are busses. However, unlike Romeo, Jimmy gives up on his true love without a moment’s hesitation. He barely tries to get her attention in the schoolyard before abandoning her for the teeter-totters. On graduation day, Daisy has dressed in her very best yellow skirt—a nod to the color she wore when they first met—but Jimmy won’t walk the five to seven feet to gently guide her to pick up her diploma. Even on the day of their marriage, when Daisy is blinded and confused by the bright lights and overwhelming emotions, Jimmy simply lets her walk away, with nothing but a nonchalant “Forget it.”
“Forget” Daisy? How could you, sir?
I am also reminded of a challenge given to us by one Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone. “You’ve got to prove your love to me.” Jimmy: if you truly love Daisy, as you say you do, you mustn’t simply “forget it.” You must prove it. Or else, it seems you will be the one who never learned.
To witness this heartbreaking performance, join us for That’s Weird Grandma, Monday, August 8. For $2 off your ticket, whisper “I will never forget it” to Kassi in the box office.
Posted by Molly on July 31, 2011
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Molly Brennan, current director of That’s Weird, Grandma, interviews Laura McKenzie, Monkey Music Master and composer of TWG’s new Opening song.
MB: How did you get in the song-writing business?
LM: I never ever ever EVER thought I would write songs. Really. I started writing theater and it just so happened that everytime I tried to write a play, a song always showed up. So working with Barrel of Monkeys has been the perfect mix! (Also, my secret dream until just this moment where I blurt it out is to have Alicia Keys sing one of my songs. Do you think she would sing a song about two girls looking at a pooping dog?)
MB: I do. How many original songs have you written for BOM school shows?
LM: You’d think I’d know the answer to this—but I have no idea. My guess would be anywhere from 15-25.
MB: Is there a favorite, or one that sticks in your mind that you can tell us about?
LM: I’d hate to hurt any of my song’s feelings, but it would be hard not to mention “Gotta Stop The Fighting”. I got the “Importance of Being Earnest” award for that one. And that’s a pretty big deal because I’m rarely earnest. I’m usually writing songs about bunnies being conjured out of toilets (Bunny Madness, another fave).
MB: How did the new TWG Opening Song come to you?
LM: In the shower. That’s where all the magic happens.
MB: Did you have help?
LM: Absolutely! EDD (Erick Deshaun Dorris) and Curtis Williams and I got together a couple of times for some “sessions”. What we did at these “sessions” no one will ever know. I will know. Nobody else will know. Not even EDD and Curtis know.
MB: Were they really help or are you just being nice?
LM: I’m never nice.
MB: Me either.
LM: It was really fun collaborating. I figured writing a new opener was a big deal, and I thought it would be a fun experiment to try collaborating with some fellow monkeys who at one point or another expressed interest in creating a new opener. Also, I thought having a couple of different points of view would come in handy because then if someone didn’t like a line or a phrase I could say “Curtis did that” or “EDD wrote those lyrics”.
MB: What reality-TV-worthy conflicts broke out among the musical creative team?
LM: There was a lot of crying, for sure. A lot of confessing and secret meetings at cafes that were oddly empty in the middle of the day. But the biggest moment was THE HUG. I won’t go into too much detail here, but let’s just say in a moment of unbridled joy at what we had just created, EDD (notorious for never hugging NOBODY) delivered an impromptu side-hug that had us all crying and dancing and eating chocolates.
MB: How would you describe the style of the number?
LM: Sexy/educational.
MB: For those who aspire to be piano playing songwriters, what advice can you give on writing opening numbers for Barrel of Monkeys?
LM: Practice. Listen. Live. Practice the piano for yourself. Listen to other people play the piano. Live life by taking in new adventures— experience is inspiration!
Come see That’s Weird Grandma at 8 p.m.
The secret password is “EDD Sidehug”. Say that to Kassi at the box office and you’ll get $2 off your ticket price!
Posted by Molly on July 25, 2011
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
We had two days to do an almost complete cast changeover from Grandma 8 to Grandma 9. Luckily, Philip Markle and Emjoy Gavino were able to stick with the show, in addition to the irreplaceable Maggie Fullilove-Nugent, and their combined dynamic presence in the room kept us on track. Look for a new man on the keys: Caleb Probst joins Emjoy and Philip on rotating piano duty. His acting chops cannot be denied, and I’m delighted to have him step back into a role he originated: Bowser in “Vampire, Alien, Superbaby, Bowser”. Dynamic duo Matt Miller and Michelle Alba, the former a senior Company Member and the latter one of BOM’s new recruits, will surprise and delight in their Karate Kid/Mr. Miagi take in “Show Day”. The unmistakable voice of Marika Mashburn rings out in a number of singing and narration parts, and her nearly silent “Daisy” in “Daisy Never Learned” is a delightful turn. There’s a new “Sally” in the form of Zoe Schwartz, and Ms. Schwartz sports some sweet action moves in “Stupid”. Tom Malinowski, no stranger to the “Grandma” stage reprises his role as himself in “Hospital for Ninja” as well as interpreting some more eccentric characters including Serial Killer Squirrel and Sebastian. The physical comedy star with the booming voice Tim Soszko’s Duck knocks it out of the park, Tai Palmgren surprises with his 90’s grunge ballad prowess, and Barrel of Monkeys’ Program Director Elizabeth Levy steps out of the office and into the spotlight to bring her spark to “Piranhas Should Not Exist” and others. This cast of extraordinary Chicago Talent will bring the Monkey to Grandma 9 through August 29. We hope you’ll join us!
Take $2 off your Ticket by saying the Secret Password at the Box Office.
The Password is: “Do you have any nachos?”
Posted by Luke on July 17, 2011
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
This round culminates with the addition of a little known story with huge potential called “Show Day.” It’s about Joyce’s experience of putting on a play at camp that Miss Norra made up.
Last I heard, we’re nearly sold out, so if you plan to come tomorrow night, I recommend making reservations by calling 312 409 1954 or by going here.
It’s going to be a lot of fun- not solely because it’s my last show, or because the talent we have in this particular show is a highly concentrated collection of ringers, or because the show is well rehearsed by now and everything is reaching it’s full potential. Well, maybe for all those reasons.
Thanks for reading my oodles of words over the years.
Oh, I almost forgot. $2 off at the box office if you say, “save the wolves.”
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Posted by Luke on July 11, 2011
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
I’ve decided that for my last two weeks of directing TWG, I’m putting in stories I adore that I’ve always meant to put in but never got around to it.
The Trip to Vegas chronicles the story of a couple who’s relationship is on the rocks. Then, after a romantic visit to Sin City, all is righted again.
Then there’s Vampire, Alien and a Super Baby, Bowser. It’s a dialogue between the four characters. Vampire and Bowser’s relationship undergoes a serious test when Bowser swallows Vampire. Will they reconcile their culinary differences????
FIND OUT TONIGHT!
$2 off at the box office if you say “Kassi, enjoy your next trip to Vegas.”
BE AT IT.
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