Public performances other than TWG.
Posted by Joe on December 4, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
Chicago’s Weird, Grandma will feature Sideshow Theatre Company on December 10
Here is an interview between you and Barrel of Monkeys’ Artistic Director, Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about Sideshow Theatre Company.
Molly: “Familiar Stories, Unorthodox Methods, Perpetually Curious” is the motto of this young Chicago Company. It is the mission of Sideshow Theatre Company to mine the collective unconscious of the world with limitless curiosity, drawing inspiration from the familiar stories, memories and images we all share to spark new conversation and bring our audience together as adventurers in a communal experience of exploration. This mighty and amibitious mission has created such works as “Dante Dies (and then things get weird)” “Heddatron” and “The Gacy Play”.
You: What will Sideshow Theatre Company bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: Passion, grittiness, and intensity. Get ready, Grandma…it’s gonna get REALLY weird.
Here’s their story:
I BELIEVE SANTA CLAUSE by Alejovera, Columbia Explorer’s Academy
My first reason is because he is a man and he lives in the North pole, my second reason is I found pieces of white hair in the floor. My third reason is that I found, at night, presents under the tree. In conclusion, I believe in Santa clause. The End
You: How else can I experience Sideshow Theatre Company if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: For future Sideshow events, check out their website.
Get tickets today to join in on the fun!
Posted by Joe on November 27, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
Chicago’s Weird, Grandma will feature The Factory Theater & Manual Cinema on December 3
Here is an interview between you and Barrel of Monkeys’ Artistic Director, Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about the Factory Theatre
Molly: Factory Theater is a theater organization dedicated to the writing, directing, performance and production of original works written by ensemble members that are accessible to inexperienced as well as seasoned theatergoers. Since 1992 they have produced 55 productions that have been enjoyed by both critics and audience members. I am an Emeritus Member myself, and Factory produced three plays I wrote during the mid-nineties. Factory’s work is Chicago’s work. Their plays reflect the diversity and determination of this town..
You: What will the Factory Theatre bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: Factory uses a variety of styles including farce, camp, musical comedy, noir, and heightened realism. Their actors come to the stage with explosive energy and joy for storytelling. I am very excited to see how they The Christmas Monster. Here is the original story:
THE CHRISTMAS MONSTER!! By Dinora S, Columbia Explorer’s Academy
One day it was Christmas. I slept in the couch. I was 5 years old. I slept. Then I heard a sound, it was very loud. I got outside. It was an alien. It had a beard. I thought it was fake. I took off the mask, it was a huge gigantic monster and it was ugly too. It smelled very very bad. I ran and he was trying to eat me. But it did. It smelled very bad. The water was very green. I was in the water, my skin was a skeleton! THE END
You: How else can I experience the Factory Theatre if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: “Toast of the Town” is their current production, playing through December 15 at Prop Thtr. Discover Factory!
You: Tell me about Manual Cinema.
Molly: Manual Cinema is a collaboration between puppeteers/graphic artists Julia Miller, Drew Dir and Sarah Fornace, with musician/composers Kyle Vegter and Ben Kauffman. Their process combines handmade shadow puppetry, cinematic motifs, and live sound manipulation to create immersive theatrical stories. Their tools are paper, acetate, ink, light, air pressure, and overhead projectors. They love dreamscapes, landscapes, sound-scapes, feet, hands, space, small delicate sounds, and animating the inanimate.
You: What will Manual Cinema bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: Manual Cinema creates in a way that is very different from Barrel of Monkeys, and I am excited to see their adaptation of “Hair Fear!!!!!” by Sheriff N., Dixon Elementary. It will be lovely to have something so highly technical on our stage!
You: How else can I experience Manual Cinema if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: Manual Cinema will be presenting the World Premiere of Lula Del Ray at the Den Theatre, November 29-December 16. Receive more information!
Discover Manual Cinema
Get tickets today to join in on the fun!
Posted by Joe on November 20, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
Chicago’s Weird, Grandma will feature Dean Evans on November 26
Here is an interview between you and Barrel of Monkeys’ Artistic Director, Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about Dean Evans.
Molly: Dean Evans is an extraordinary performance artist, a truly unique and powerful presence in the Chicago Theater Scene. He employs clown and mime in his work, and his quiet and intense presence conjures a gorgeously surreal experience for the audience. His work is fully accessible, and dream-like. He can make every day, mundane acts seem magical. He can physically manifest surprising gifts of insight with simple gesture and expression. In addition to his long-running “Magical Exploding Boy” and his more recent splash “Honeybuns”, Dean has appeared at the Goodman, Second City, ImprovOlympic, 500 Clown, the Hypocrites and Redmoon. I had the pleasure of working with him in Chicago Children’s Theater in “Go, Dog, Go”, where I was able to watch his process. I was fascinated by the strangeness and familiarity and specificity of his choices.
You: What will Dean Evans bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: His arresting performance style. His mesmerizing presence. His fantastical storytelling. We are in for a real treat.
Here is the story he has chosen:
MAGICAL HORSE by Journey B., Dixon Elementary
Once upon a time there was Journey a simple 9 year old then one day she took horse riding lessons. The horse started to gallop it was my first time so I wanted to stop so I said stop. The horse got mad and grew angel black wings an dsaid next time you have lessons with me you should know I’m not going to stop. Then he flew away with me into another galaxy and to his home dumped me into the trash went to go use it and then that’s when I escaped took his car drove myself back home and kept his car. I made an underground machine where my friends and whole family lived forever. I never went back to those lessons again. THE END
You: How else can I experience Dean Evans if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: Visit Dean’s Website!
THIS SHOW HAS BEEN SELLING OUT!
BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
Posted by Joe on November 13, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
Chicago’s Weird, Grandma will feature BONEdanse on November 19
Here is an interview between you and Barrel of Monkeys’ Artistic Director, Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about BONEdanse.
Molly: BONEdanse is an experimental dance company based in Chicago who creates, performs and presents challenging, athletic and visually stimulating dance theater in unconventional site-specific locations as well as conventional venues and are driven by the use of movement, theater, and multi-media elements by excavating the tropes found within the human experience.
You: What will BONEdanse bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: Danger. And humor. Funny danger. I can’t wait.
You: How else can I experience BONEdanse if I like what I see or want to know more?
Check out BONEdanse for upcoming production information!
THIS SHOW HAS BEEN SELLING OUT!
BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!
Posted by Joe on November 6, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA on November 12 with feature Lookingglass Theatre Company & Noah Ginex Puppet Company
Here is an interview between you and Barrel of Monkeys’ Artistic Director, Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about Lookingglass Theatre Company
Molly: Lookingglass Theatre is Chicago Theatre. This high-profile company never forgets its roots. It remains bold, dynamic and risky. “Theatre Without a Net” indeed. I admire these folks for being real, honest, wonderful people. They won the Regional Tony last year and man, do they deserve it. Having worked for this company, I can say it’s a friendly, hard-working and highly creative environment. They are in the business of world premiers, generating much of their new work within the Ensemble. They offer a wide diversity of material, and are well-known for the physical elements presented in their work.
You: What will Lookingglass bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: The kind of beauty, grace and humor brought on by a combination of discipline and gigantic heart. This company’s dedication to producing Big theatre in a Small space is in line with Chicago’s Weird, Grandma. I absolutely cannot WAIT for our audience to see and hear what Lookingglass has been cooking. It’s absolutely marvelous. No spoilers. You HAVE to see it!
Here is the story they’ve chosen:
UNTITLED (ACCORDION LADY) by Gema R, Avondale-Logandale School
Once there was a old lady that played a instrument called a accordian and she did not get any money so she got mad and she threw her accordian to the ocean and she felt better and she went to her house and watched TV. And then she played the piano. the end
You: How else can I experience Lookingglass Theatre Company if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: Mary Zimmerman’s Tony Award Winning “Metamorphoses” has returned to Lookingglass, and you can catch it through December 16. Check out Metamorphoses. Lookingglass’s Chicago’s Weird, Grandma piece features members of the “Metamorphoses” cast!
You: Tell me about Noah Ginex Puppet Company
Molly: The Noah Ginex Puppet Company creates funny, creative content for the web, television, film and stage featuring original puppets of all shapes and sizes. Past clients have included Barenaked Ladies, The USNA Glee Club, Annapolis MD, and the FSU Film Program, Tallahassee FL.
You: What will NGPC bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: Having been inspired by Jim Henson, Fred Rogers, and the Animaniacs, NGPC strives to carry on the tradition and inspire children of all ages to be accepting and creative people. They hope to impart the knowledge that there is room for all of us in this lifetime, and we believe the best way to a child’s brain is through their funny-bone. Naturally, Barrel of Monkeys supports this kind of thinking!
Noah and friends will present…
THE MOOSE AND THE MAN by Malik, Learn Campbell Academy
There once was a man name Carlo. He didn’t like to ride “Moose!” because his owner had not one to walk them and feed them. The moose felt tired. They had been on their feet all day and it got cold. And they got decided to quite and the man went to Miami , Florida and went to the beach.
You: How else can I experience NGPC if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: Currently The Noah Ginex Puppet Company is producing an internet talkshow for all ages called the Jameson Talk Show.
Join the fun!
