It’s been a little quiet on the blog this week, we know. A distinct lack of hysterical press releases or heartfelt looks back.

Well, that’s because the entire company is working hard to prepare for Celebration of Authors.  I know, I know…I’ve sent a few thousand emails about it. I’ve even blogged about it before. But unless you’ve come to COA in years past, you have no idea how awesome this show really is.  In fact, this year it’ll be even more awesome—it is, after all, our tenth anniversary and COA is in its biggest, fanciest venue yet. 

COA isn’t just awesome in the way all BOM shows are awesome. Sure, there will be silly hats a-plenty and some great kid logic (SPOILER ALERT!—Just think, if you had a clone, you could send him to school so you could play with your other clone. Amazing). There’s a ninja barbershop quartet.  Yeah, you may need to re-read that sentence and think about it.  I won’t even get into the first story of the night, but it might change the way you think about broadway. And what will Mother Nature do to those who don’t respect her? Oh, and that Bollywood number Lacy blogged about? Yeah, that’s there too.

Unlike most of our public performances, however, a big portion of the audience will be the kids who wrote these stories, and their families and teachers and neighbors. One little girl is bringing 18 of her closest relatives. Others will come with only one or two. No matter how big the entourage, however, on this night all the kids are stars, and will be treated as stars should.

This year Celebration of Authors will be at the enormous and beautiful Athenaeum Theatre. It’s conveniently located, and there are plenty of seats. We’ve moved to a different night so as not to conflict with the Jeffs. Oh, and though we’ll appreciate any donations toward our programming, the show is free. What’s your excuse? Make a reservation online or by calling 312-409-1954. You will like it.

Celebration of Authors
Tuesday, June 10th
7:00pm
Athenaeum Theatre
2936 N. Southport Ave.
(at the intersection of Lincoln/Southport/Wellington).

Juice and cookies reception with the famous authors themselves follows the show.

World Saved.
P.S. Because we’ll be busy with COA, there is no regular TWG performance on Monday the 9th.

If you’ve come to TWG in the last two years, odds are our House Manager Jon sold you your ticket. He’s been a huge help to BOM for more than two years, and we will miss him a lot…as he is moving out of Chicago in two weeks.

I tried to do a little math. Jon has house managed more than 100 nights of TWG, which not only means that he’s seen the show that many times, but also that he’s spent a couple of hours each week making programs, taking reservations, tracking down forms, and sending house reports. He’s certainly spent more than 300 hours on the CTA commuting to and from the theater. He’s done all of this for free, because he’s just that kind of guy.

People like Jon are what make companies like BOM work. We’re a small non-profit. We can’t pay someone to work at the box office, and it’s incredibly helpful to have the same person at the show week after week, able to answer questions and solve problems without getting flustered or having to call the office. He’s good with people, charming to children and generally delightful to have around.

If you are at the show tonight, Jon’s last show for the foreseeable future, make sure to tell him thanks, and that you appreciate all his work for us.

If you think you might like to be the next Monkey House Manager (or know someone else who might) details after the jump.

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TWG June 2nd, 2008

Posted by Heidi at 12:29 PM in That's Weird, Grandma

It’s our last show before Celebration of Authors!

We’re adding one brand-new stories from this school year. In fact, it’s from last week’s Orchard place show. Amazing.

We’re pretty sure the action packed “Attack of the Russian Army” could go head-to-head with any of those summer blockbusters at the movie theaters.

Full running order after the jump.

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