At Barrel of Monkeys, we work towards building lasting relationships with each school in which we perform a writing residency, some of which we’ve been working with for almost a decade. Trumbull Elementary School was a new and wonderful addition to our school list last year. Located in Andersonville, cattycorner to the Neo-Futurarium (the home of our weekly long-running production, “That’s Weird, Grandma”), AND being a Literature and Writing magnet school, it was the absolute perfect addition to our Barrel of Monkeys programming. 

With this in mind, you may not be surprised to hear that when Trumbull came to us this year and said they couldn’t financially support a residency but deeply and fervently wanted us in their school a second time, we didn’t say no. 

Instead, we looked across the street to “That’s Weird, Grandma” and asked how that BOM program can reach out to help another.

Thus, the Trumbull Benefit performances were conceived. On Sunday, March 14 at 2pm and Monday, March 15 at 8pm, a very special Trumbull Benefit ticket is available for $25. The show will feature three stories from this year’s residency at Trumbull: The Twin Enemies by Carolina M. and Kayla R., Prison Break by Anthony G., and The Day I Got Locked in My Room By A Ghost by Cesar P.!  See below for the stories as they were written!

Don’t have the cash for that type of ticket? That’s okay – come to the performance, buy a regularly priced ticket ($10 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and under), and any donation you can give will go towards supporting BOM’s residency at Trumbull. Tickets can be purchased here.

Can’t make it to the performance Sunday or Monday but want to help the cause? Make a donation now.

Barrel of Monkeys’ unique writing workshops not only increase writing skills, but also give a hefty boost to the students’ confidence and enthusiasm for writing, and to top it all off, a real increase to self-esteem. But don’t take our word for it! Here’s what the fourth graders from Trumbull say about our program:

“What I learnd from barrel of monkeys is to keep on making good ideas. What I liked best is writing storys. Barrel of monkeys make me feel awesome. They were fun. Its a super program.” – Antawn

“The most thing I have learned is how to be a better writer and reader. They really made me feel special. The barrel of monkeys are alot of fun everyone was a good monkey!!!” – Yekeen

And this is what Jalyssa had to say to the next group of students Barrel of Monkeys works with, but she could just as well be talking to YOU, “That’s Weird, Grandma” audience member!

“They are great and funny. You will have a whole lot of fun. Barrel of Monkeys is the best program. You will have a time of your life. At the end of the year thank them for everything. Trust me its fun.” – Jalyssa
Come to “That’s Weird, Grandma” to support Trumbull Elementary School – as Jalyssa went on to say:
“P.S. Have the time of your life. Make urself fell proud!!!”

The Trumbull Stories:
Click here for a podcast of FOOD FIGHT, a story written in last year’s residency.
Click here for a podcast of “The Lion Who Tries to Eat Everyone”, another story written in last year’s residency.

Preview this week’s Trumbull stories and TWG runlist below…

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Big changes a brewin’ here at Monkey HQ.

This is the last performance with this cast. Next week, an almost entirely new cast will grace the stage. Whenever, there is a big cast change over like this, a lot of stories end up leaving the show. It’s just how it’s done around here. SO, come see the show this Sunday, as who knows what stunners will be appearing for the LAST TIME.

Also, this will be the last chance to get your very own, limited ediiton, BOM fridge magnet as your prize. Next week, the prizes will be new. Tattoos. So, that’s gonna be cool too. BUT, if you’re like me you could always use another fridge magnet. And kids like magnets too. Let’s face it. They demonstrate one of the great mysteries of the universe: magnetism.

Two awesome pieces are joining the action this week. One is old as time and one is new as spring.

The Geek - a rousing musical moment from the year 2001. Remember it?

Prison Break - a brand new dialogue that the monkeys have never performed! Be there for its debut and so much more.

Buy tickets here.
Runlist with updated story links below!!

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Ka-Bloom!
TWG Matinee-style is cominatcha once again.
A new winner called Spiders makes its premiere .
This poem is both funny AND sincere (WHAT?????). It examines the many reasons Dejah does NOT like spiders.
Also, there’s one more sweet review we got from Steadstyle Chicago, which I forgot to mention last week.
Also this could be one of your last chances to see the ever popular Today I Am So Mad and 10th Date, as these Valentine’s Day pieces, while awesome, are SO mid-February 2010.
Be there.
Tix Here.
Running order down there.

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Hey!
Check out these sweet reviews the show has received recently from Gapers Block and Chicago Theater Blog!
We’re at it again this Sunday at 2pm!

Both Valentine’s Day pieces were quite popular, Today I Am So Mad and 10th Date, so they will remain in the show.
But they may not last TOO long, so you’ll want to be there.

Also, a new piece makes it’s debut entitled Bad Boys wherein Shaq and Chris Brown terrorize Boston. You don’t want to miss it!
Come join the hilarity.
Running order is below (with updated story links!)

See you at the plays!

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We’re Back!

A brand spankin new round of TWG opens Sunday, February 7 @ 2pm.
We have some BRANDED, never-before-distributed prizes to give out.
Some ole greats remain in the show, but for how long?!
Don’t worry, a certain piece about a fantastical milieu where you can remain indefinitely is still in! phew.
In fact, that piece is on the verge of challenging for the title “longest running story in TWG”, rivaling Kung Fu Guys and, naturally, The Dog was Dead.

Okay. The NEW pieces going into the show this week are:
Mask Lady parts 1-3 in which Gracie, who lives in castle, causes trouble all over the globe.
The sincere Graffiti Argument about why there shouldn’t be graffiti.
And…finally…an old classic returns. The Girl Who Ruined Her Sister’s Life.

Get Ready! (by getting your tickets here).
Running order is below.

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