Posted by Molly on March 23, 2014
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Barrel of Monkeys Company Member Laura McKenzie will be featured in “That’s Weird, Grandma” this week!
She will bring two of the many songs she has written for Barrel of Monkeys:
UNTITLED (SAD MICROWAVE-LM SONG)
Story by Rene, Avondale Logandale Elementary School
Once upon a time there was a very sad microwave oven because they did not use it to heat up food. It always cried every night because they did not use it and it wanted to leave from the house and leave to other things and following day they were going to use for the first time but it (the microwave) wasn’t there and they looked for it and called the police and put papers (flyers) saying looking for a microwave oven and at last/finally they found it in a house.
And one based on a series of students’ stories:
GOTTA STOP THE FIGHTING
By Dejah K., Mister BL One T., Romesha D., Darryl S., Devin G., Capri B., 3rd Grade, Henderson
Dejah K.
I believe that who ever sales guns should not do it
1. Because…they could kill somebody
2. Because…God do not like it
3. Because…You can get killed by killing somebody family
Mister B.L. One T.
I believe that people should stop fighting!
My first reason is because someone could get hurt real bad.
My second reason is because people can be angry and they can die.
My third reason is it would be a gooder place to live.
In conclusion, I believe that people should stop fighting.
Romesha D.
I believe people should stop shooting.
First because people will die.
Second because on Halloween they is going to shoot at the wrong person.
My third reason is they
Darryl S.
I believe I should get to be by myself all the time.
My first reason is so that I won’t get killed or shot at a young age living by myself.
Devin G.
I believe people need to stop fighting.
My first reason is my people get hurt.
And my second reason is people is going to cry.
And my third reason is they is going to they feeling get hurt.
And that is why I believe people need to stop fighting.
Capri B.
I believe that men need to stop shooting at ten year old boys.
First, because they will die and they mom will cry and they dad will cry.
Second, because I like talking to my brother and my cousins who are ten year old boys and I would miss them and I care about them.
Third because people should not shoot anyone because we’re all brothers and sisters and family.
That is why I believe that men need to stop shooting ten year old boys.
For discounted tickets, say “They found it in a house”.
Posted by Molly on March 8, 2014
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
It’s Week 2 of “Behind the (Monkey) Music”. We have two new stories added to this musical extravaganza
THE ZOO by Nakevia M, Paderewski Elementary Learning Academy
It was Saturday and my Grandma took me to the zoo and we went to go see the lion and my brother kept messing with the lion so the lion opened the cage and started to chase us and everybody else too. 50 people had got eaten in less than 1 minute. We went to hide under the elephants cage so the lion won’t see us and everybody was screaming the next two minutes it was bones everywhere but no people. When we came out the elephants cage the lion was gone and so was all the animals. My brother said dang the lion was hungry and we went home. The End
THE SOUND OF CARMA!! by Kashmeire J, Morton Elementary School
On March first I turned ten. I went skating I kept on fallin on the skates. When I was falling a girl laughed at me. I felt sad but when she fall I felt better. She got carma. If you don’t know what carma is, carma is when you do something bad it comes back around. But when she fell I heard a Bang, Dang, Blang Boomarang fang’s Bang’s !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For discounted tickets, say “Life is A Zoo” at the Box Office
Posted by Molly on March 1, 2014
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
PEOPLE OF MONKEYS!
We are proud to present our very first ALL MUSICAL GRANDMA. Opens Sunday, March 2. Runs Sundays at 2 and Mondays at 8. Featuring an all-star cast and a marvelous lineup of stories from our Barrel of Monkeys Students, including:
Wanting Meatloaf by by Montez P, Jayzoun N, James M, Emmanuel L, Kristyle Y, Reyna J, and Fayome M, Dixon Elementary School
Once there was a boy named Jackson who craved meatloaf with nothing else. He hangs out in a mansion that has a pool table, a pool, bunk beds, and a club with a bar. He lays in bed cause he is so sad about the meatloaf. He wishes for meatloaf. He wishes so much he falls asleep. He wakes up it appears by itself. He eats some and he loves it. All he does is eat meatloaf all day. His therapist named Bob tells him to stop eating it, he doesn’t listen and wakes up with a meatloaf head! He sings the meatloaf song* and the meatloaf head disappears. The End
*THE MEAT LOAF SONG: I would do anything for meatloaf, But I won’t do that OH! I won’t do that!
Space Horses in Space by Ruth B., TLC at U of C (Diana Lawrence composed)
M: Hi I’m Midnight. (gleefully shyly waves)
N: Hi I’m Navy (cooly waving)
M: Wow your navy coat is really pretty.
N: So is your black one.
M: We should be best friends.
N: (nod)
M: Come to my stable (wave toward stable)
N: OK (walk away with him)
M: Here it is (point to stable)
N: That was a great meal.
M: Oh, thank you, I liked the fried hay too!
N: Well good night!
M: Same to you
M and N: (Stand in a comfy position) zzzzz he haw zzz he haw (float around)
The End
Untitled Argument: Elephants Come to My House by Jeffrey H, Learn Campbell Academy (EDD Composed)Elephants come to my house. My reason why they should not come to my house is they play my wii and play Michael Jackson and they break my bed when I’m in it and they write on my notebook and they ring my doorbell eat all my food. They furt in my room, my Mom room and I had kick them to the cover. The End.
Flower Argument by Natalie, Lorca School (Jeff Trainor Composed)
I’m a flower and I believe that people should not pick me. My first reason is that I won’t grow. My second reason is when they pick my I will die. My third reason is I will not swell good any more. In conclusion, I believe that people should not pick me.
I am a flower and I believe that people should pick me. My first reason is I will look good one some one’s hair. My second reason is I will smell good. My third reason is I will get to go every were. I believe that Should.
The End
Not so Much Pressure by Lazaireus P., Morton Elementary (Nick composed)
I am Batman and I believe that I shouldn’t save the world every day. One reason why I think I shouldn’t have to save the world every day is because I is saving the world every day and he has a life and it should not just be about saving people because he could probably die just like other humans could. One more reason is because while he is outside trying to save the world who will save his family from danger because it’s not like he could teleport. The end
Untitled: There was Nothing by Giovanny M., Seward School (Curtis Composed)
I remember that I went to my friends house then I got happy cause we watched a movie and we talked to each other that made me happy, and I was sad cause one day I never went back to his house cause we moved to a other house and I never got to see my friend again. Once I was happy that we went to the park and we played so much and one day I was sad cause we never got to play in the park again. I remember too that once I rode my bike and I had fun and I could ride past and I was happy but one day I was gonna ride my bike outside then there was nothing so I started to cry. So now I can not ride my bike any more and now I don’t have nothing to do in my house just watch the t.v. and once I had playstation 2 but we went to our house we looked all over it and there was nothing so then I got so so sad and cry. And when I moved I went to a new school and I made new friends so I got happy cause I made new friends. And I had a hamster and one day I play with my hamster and a other day he die and I got sad and cried. And I liked my uncle and he died. I miss all of the once that died and I mist all of them and I am sad.
Stone Villain by Tiara H., Morton Elementary School. (Immanuel Composed)
There once was a boy, girl and another boy all of their names was Kelly Brian and last Mary. Kelly Brian and Mary were all friends. They all went to the same school. But one day Mary and Kelly ran into an evil villain named Stinky Stone. he wanted their marbles but they said no so he said “Since you guys don’t want to give me those marble I”m going to put stinky stone on your feet until you have to give the marbles up!” They went to school with the stinky stones on their feet. The End.
Women Rampage by Dante H., Loyola Park After School Program (Geoff Rice Composed)
Once upon a time there was a room full of food and men, but no women. Women always wanted to get in that room, but women were not allowed! One day women started throwing rotten eggs at the room because they were so angry that they started breaking in to the room, gobbling the food, and beating up the men. It was a women rampage. Then after all that they rebuilt the room and women were finally allowed to go in.
New Jersey by Nia H., Loyola Park After School Program (Jeff Trainor composed)
New Jersey, New Jersey Big Ocean New Jersey, New Jersey Better get some sun tan lotion Never thought I would have this much fun I have the silly potion Waiting to be cast on you, New Jersey Hey Hey Hey better get some sun tan lotion. The End
Grannies Lean Like a Cholo by Stephaun B., Loyola Park After School Program
(Rap 2 actors)Grannies had a sport call basketball
Most of them were short and most of them were tall.
They didn’t have grandpa’s they have grannies.
One of them was the best his name was Dani.
Dani was a fish he ate corn
They told him he was 26 when he was born.
When Grannies shoot they don’t pass the hoop.
They are just like babies they always poop.
Since Grannies have no teeth they eat hay.
They always east they sleep
When they are playing in the game
When Grannies los they will say “you will pay”
When they sleep they are on the floor.
they break their backs the announcer says, “Lean like a cho lo.”
Untitled: Abe Lincoln by Deanna C., Dewey School of Excellence (Eric Composed)
Once upon a time there was a man who work at a London. He was forced to make a dog house by Abe Lincoln. Abe Lincoln was a great man to help people to see. The End
Dog Was Dead by Dinelle H., Dewey School of Excellence (Mike Tutaj composed)
The dog was dead. He Hit His Head and He come Back to life. He was nice this time to the cat that had hated him the cat was just so mad Because the dog was dead and now he’s alive and the cat touch the dog and the dog said Wolf Wolf Wolf. and the dog said mmmm and it was so sad the dog was back alive. The dog was dead. He Hit His Head? He Came Back to life He Was So Nice.
Say: “I Would Do Anything for Meatloaf” for discounted tickets!
Posted by Jason on February 23, 2014
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Wow, these five weeks have flown by! Our annual matinee round is coming to a close…
Show me that smile again
Don’t waste another minute on your crying
We’re nowhere near the end
The best is ready to begin
Wow, Alan Thicke. You knew what you were talking about. 
‘Cause guess what, y’all? We’re coming at you full speed for this last show. Last week we added Mariah Carey’s Dream, by Jujuan D. from Burnham Anthony Elementary
and When I Was Playing With My Toys by Tony O. from Lorca Elementary.
This week we’re adding Vampire or Not? by Ileana H., Tetta D. and Carmen O. from Avondale Elementary
and an untitled piece about an ice cream man by Marcellious G. from Stockton Elementary.
Even though this round is ending, March 2 starts a round of both Sunday matinees AND Monday night shows! Come see us off in style!
We got each other, Sharin’ the laughter and love. (Speaking of sharing: the code word for this week’s discount tickets at the box office is “ICE CREAM!”)
Posted by Molly on February 8, 2014
That's Weird Grandma
TWG Weekly Update
Barrel of Monkeys is happy to have long-time Company Member Jason Sperling Guest Directing “That’s Weird, Grandma”. Artistic Director Molly Brennan interviewed Jason. Look what he has to say about Barrel of Monkeys, That’s Weird, Grandma and this week’s show!
From your perspective, what is the history of “That’s Weird, Grandma”?
When it started, we just really wanted the chance to share these stories with our friends and the general public. Matt Miller had the idea initially I think, and he and Halena talked with The Neofuturists about using their space on Mondays nights, traditionally a “dark night” for theatre. Originally it was the same group of Monkeys performing every week, for long stretches of time. We also had understudies when we started: Tom and Oona! I think most of us did the show every week for a year when we started. As the company expanded and our lives and careers got busier, we switched to what we do now: “rounds” of 5-6 weeks that the actors commit to be in. It’s great to be able to swap stories in and out depending who’s in the cast, and to revisit old favorite stories from time to time. Here’s a look at one of our earliest casts.
What are some of your most memorable moments as an actor in a school show and/or That’s Weird, Grandma?
Just being around for some jaw-dropping things. Erica breaking her foot during an early TWG performance, throwing up offstage, and finishing the show. Spat proposing to Halena on-stage during our post-show speech. Watching stories over and over and laughing so hard each time at what people are creating. Seeing the kids’ faces during the school shows and hearing their comments, talking back to the characters. Finding just the right costume or prop, usually for no good reason.
As this is your first time as Director of “That’s Weird, Grandma”, can you tell us what that process is like?
Seeing what stories are in the round of TWG prior to the round you’re directing, and choosing which to keep in based on the cast changeover and the pace/tone of the show. Looking for stories to put in to give each actor a chance to shine. Rethinking stories for different people playing the parts or adapting to the Neofuturist space vs. in the school. Trying to get a running order that keeps the energy flowing and separates stories that might have similarities or the same actors while not giving anyone an insane costume change or difficult transition.
What can we look forward to this week in terms of new stories?
This week we’re bringing back The Shopping Habit, a tale of grandma knowing the best way to break an addiction to buying things. For one of the tallest men in our company, Brad Stevens plays an incredible grandma! We’re also featuring the TWG debut of a story from a school show this past year - it’s an untitled piece based on a picture, and is about a very evil scientist. Immanuel Guest took that character and ran with it, making it one of my favorites from performing at that school.
What’s the secret password for discounted tickets?
Dangerous projects!
