CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA December 17: The Neo-Futurists & About Face Theatre
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!