Posted by Jason on November 10, 2014
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
Hello, Monkey Fan! Have Daylight Savings Time and the colder weather got you down? Come to tonight’s “Chicago’s Weird, Grandma” for an escapist pick-me-up!
Karma T. from the Loyola Park After School Program envisions an exciting journey in The Girl Who Flyed Over the World:
One day a girl went to the park with her grandfather. She swinged on the swing really high that she flew off the swing. She crossed the United States and the whole world till she was a teenager. Then she was gong to land. on her grandfather. She landed on her grandfather and broke his back.
Kania, Kenice, Taniya, and Jacaria from the Super 7 Program at Cather Academy created a romantic evening despite a villain’s presence in Super Hero (Cake):
Once upon a time there was a man named Cake Man and he had a shop called cake woman and Cake Man’s shop. Then cakeman went to the cake woman’s house and they ate cake and had a special night. Munch Munch Munch. The night was as romantic as princess and the frog. Little did Cakeman and Woman know but Carrot man was placing a cake under the table and cakeman tripped over it and the cake that cakeman was eating went into cakewomans face. Carrot man said “Muah ha ha ha.” Then he felt bad and said, “I feel worse than a person who missed a line in their play. I’m more sorry than a witch!” The end
Tell Ambar “I’m more sorry than a witch!” at the box office for discounted tickets!
Posted by Joe on October 27, 2014
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
Company Members
Clear your schedules y’all! Tonight is the opening of Chicago’s Weird, Grandma featuring talented and attractive cast members of Lookingglass Alice and the internationally acclaimed shadow super stars Manual Cinema!
Want to know about these folks? Check these out!
See you at the show!
Also, say “we didn’t take wedding vows” to Ambar at the box office for discounted tickets!
Cheers!
Joe
Posted by Julia on November 6, 2013
Touring Performances
Woo boy, aren’t WE lucky? Next Monday’s performance of “Chicago’s Weird, Grandma” will feature TWO fantastic Chicago theater companies: The Neo-Futurists and Bailiwick Chicago Theater.
Kurt Chiang from the Neos answered a few questions for us about working Monkey-style.
What is it like to collaborate with the BOM team?
Monkeys and Neos have a long history together. For one thing, we share a space; “That’s Weird, Grandma” has, as far as I know, always been at the Neo-Futurarium. Also, a LOT of our people mix. Many Monkeys do Neo-Futurist work, and we even share company members, associates, and alumni, including Ryan Walters, Kristie Koehler-Vuocolo, Jonathan Maestro, Brenda Arellano, Anthony Courser, and myself. All this to say, “Of course! It’s a joy!”
How did you choose the story The Neo-Futurists will be performing?
I chose the shortest story possible. Neo work is about brevity, and/or getting to the core idea/feeling of something. I also wanted to personally relate to the story, in some way. The one I picked is about building a thing, and failing. As a kid, the first memory I have of creating a story was about not having anything to write about. This made me interested in writing, thereafter joining a summer fiction workshop.
If the Neos had a “spcial sauce” what would be in it?
Something really obvious. Maybe that’s the wrong word. I mean to say, it wouldn’t be secretive. How about, blatant? Like cashews. But not gritty. A hint of cashew butter. Certainly garlic. Dill? Do people actually enjoy things with special sauces?
Now let’s get to know Bailiwick Chicago Theater…
Bailiwick Chicago is a non-profit professional company with a mission to produce contemporary musicals and plays, reinvent classic musicals, and develop new work, while sharing a powerful and authentic theatrical experience. They celebrate and engage our community through diverse programming, artistic partnerships and outreach opportunities.
Bailiwick Chicago is a theatre company that was formed by a group of dedicated actors, directors, and production professionals after Bailiwick Repertory Theater closed its doors in September 2009. This group, which we call the “Collective”, is the artistic ensemble responsible for the artistic mission and vision of the company. In its first 2 seasons, Bailiwick Chicago garnered 28 award nominations and received critical acclaim for its innovative Chicago productions.
Bailiwick Chicago has chosen the story “Thriller vs. Party Rock” by Antwon, Imani, Erick, Tyeler, Martabian, and Christopher from Learn Campbell Academy. We’re sure they’ll bring a special musical flair to the story!
Get tickets to be in the audience next Monday, November 11 to see what these two companies can do! 8 p.m. at the Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for kids.
Posted by Joe on June 13, 2013
That's Weird Grandma
Touring Performances
Y’all. It’s happened.
TWG is back and powerful!
Celebration Authors was a huge success! And now we are ready to bring CPS students’ stories to the public!
Here is the line up:
WANTING MEATLOAF by Montez P, Jayzoun N, James M, Emmanuel L, Kristyle Y, Reyna J, & Fayome M, Dixon Elementary
UNTITLED (THE GOAT THAT EAT EVERYTHING) by Darrin J., Chalmers Elementary
UNTITLED (Astronauts) by Stephanie E., Columbia Explorer’s Academy
I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD NOT KISS by Jennie H., Brenneman Elementary
The Girl Who Had a Monkey by Parianna B, New Sullivan
Yo soy un Pescado By Ruby G Avondale-Logandale
CHICKEN!!! By Danielle S, Leo B, Maggie J, and Shantelle G Lincolnwood Elementary
I AM A DOG by Thomas R, 4th Grade, Columbia Explorers
NOT SO MUCH PRESSURE by Lazaireus P, Morton Elementary
ICE CREAM MAN by Marcellious G., Stockton Elementary
A Bad Day By Kevin V., 3rd Grade, Cleveland Elementary
I AM A BUTCHER AND I LOVE MEAT by Adarius W., Dewey Academy
THE DOG WAS DEAD by Dinelle H., Dewey Academy
Posted by Joe on December 12, 2012
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Touring Performances
CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA on December 17 will feature The Neo-Futurists & About Face Theatre
Here is an interview between you and Barrel of Monkeys’ Artistic Director, Molly Brennan:
You: Tell me about the Neo Futurists
Molly: The Neo Futurists have been performing in Chicago for 24 years, cultivating a loyal audience of returning patrons, hungry for the unique and honest style that this Chicago star provides. In addition to their long-running “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind”, the Neos produce a three-show season featuring all original work created by its daring Ensemble. They also offer classes and workshops in their writing and devising techniques.
The Neo Futurarium has been the home of That’s Weird, Grandma since the beginning, and Barrel of Monkeys is honored to be hosting their hosts on this closing night of Chicago’s Weird, Grandma.
You: What will the Neo Futurists bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: Their signature show, Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind, which had its first performance on December 2, 1988, is now in its twenty fourth year, making it the longest-running show in Chicago today. Too Much Light…, with its ever-changing “menu,” is an attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes. The single unifying element of these plays is that they are performed from a perspective of absolute honesty. Players always appear as themselves on stage, speaking directly from their personal experiences. Each short play is written by a performer, honed by the ensemble, and randomly collaged with twenty-nine other plays through high-energy audience participation. Each week, these plays shift as ensemble members add new plays to the existing body of work. Each night of performance, they create an unreproducable living newspaper collage of the comic and tragic, the political and personal, and the visceral and experimental.
Here’s their story:
SNOW STORM
By Michelle S. Farnsworth Elementary
One day I was in a snow storm. I was by myself. It was very scary. I remember it because I got lost in my own back yard. I tried to get home but it was very hard. My mom was worried. Then I had a hot bath and had hot coco.
You: How else can I experience the Neo Futurists if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind” runs Friday and Saturday nights at 11:30, Sunday nights at 7. For New Year’s this year, they will be hosting a special Monday night performance at 9:30 p.m. on the 31st. For more information, check out the Neos!
You: Tell me about About Face Theatre
Molly: About Face Theatre creates exceptional, innovative, and adventurous plays to advance the national dialogue on gender and sexual identity, and to challenge and entertain audiences in Chicago, across the country, and around the world. Additionally, About Face has a well-established Youth Theater that was created as a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning young people and their allies to tell their stories and create community. The exclusion of queer history and dialogue from schools, and the consistent discrimination and violence suffered by queer youth are the most immediate problems About Face Youth Theatre addresses with their multi-tiered programming. This program is empowering at all levels. Not only do participants enjoy the opportunity to express themselves artistically, they are also integrally involved in the program planning. This is a vital part of our community, and I am very proud that About Face offers this to the young people of Chicago.
You: What will About Face bring to the adaptation process that is unique?
Molly: We are so happy AFT is bringing back “Monster Mash” by Ethan B. from Paderewski Elementary. It is absolutely hilarious and sweet and polished and has a musical montage.
Fantastic Chicago stage veterans Mitchell Fain and Scott Duff join the young and talented Philip Dawkins in this adaptation. This trio of AFT Associate Artists brings a tight performance that explores the challenges of relationships, and what comes of getting stuck with someone. The even balance of professional chops and unbridled joy is something I have come to enjoy from About Face productions, and I am thrilled they are bringing an encore performance for the closing night of our very successful “Chicago’s Weird, Grandma”.
Here’s their story:
THE MONSTER MASH by Ethan B., Paderewski
There was a Monster named Zane and his alien friend Craze. The monsters were weird they eat brains and throw watermelon and knit. One day the monster and alien ran into each other and they were stuck. They were stuck for 10 milleniums but one day an awesome smart wizard named Deeerrrikkkk came and gave them a potion to unstick them. And the wizard charged them 20 million but they couldn’t pay so they were blasted 1, 000, 000 years into the future when they were old smelly and OLLDD and they did not remember anything ever again.
You: How else can I experience About Face Theatre Company if I like what I see or want to know more?
Molly: This year’s Holiday spectacular is “We Three Lizas”, a surprising holiday musical sure to please! Scott Duff, who plays the Monster in “Monster Mash”, stars in this Jeff-nominated holiday extravaganza! Musically directed by Barrel of Monkeys’ Company Member Alan Schmuckler! Conveniently located at the Steppenwolf Garage Theatre, running through December 23.
For tickets and info check out About Face!
CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA has been selling out! Buy your tickets today!
