CEA 2012- PS this is Epic

Posted by Meredith on February 5, 2012 at 07:01 PM
General School Shows

It is my great pleasure to be the Columbia Explorers Academy (CEA) show blogger. In my 6 years with Barrel of Monkeys, I’ve rarely missed performing the CEA show. Last year I got to direct, what has gone down in BOM history as the “blizzard show” at CEA.  What a difference a year makes… this year, it feels like spring with not a snowflake in sight!
So far the CEA rehearsals have been Epic!

Day One: We began our first rehearsal without a blizzard, but with Loyola Park out of service! Thank goodness for the good people at Pottawatomie Park in Roger’s Park for lending us a rehearsal room last minute. Not only did we make new friends, we played some new warm up games!

Day Two: Back at Loyola Park with the keyboard, Molly announced the artistic challenge of the show, and Lindsay accepted. Everyone needs to play the keys! Way to go Lindsay!

Day Three: This was my favorite rehearsal of Barrel of Monkeys ever!
While reviewing the final stories to adapt, here is a dialogue (more or less) that led to one of my favorite songs of all times.
Ryan “I can’t get over Fuzzy Bear; It needs to be an 80s rock song”
Molly: “Can you write a rock song?”
Ryan: “No, but I can sing one if someone can lay down the chords”
Molly: “Here’s an idea, pick a song you know and replace the lyrics with the words of the story”
Ryan (starts singing) “Fuzzy was..”
Mike: “wait a minute….no way….(runs to keyboard begins to play “Don’t Stop” by Journey with Fuzzy Bear Lyrics)
All Monkeys: no way! (all begin to sign Fuzzy the Bear to Don’t Stop in unison)

Ryan plays Fuzzy, Lindsay is Munchie, Fuzzy’s best friend. Both BOM class of 2011!!

The rest of us are Journey!

Cannot wait until next week to see where this epic journey of the Columbia Explores cast takes us.
Meredith

KARAOKE SAVES THE WORLD: MONKEY SING, MONKEY DO

Posted by Joe on February 3, 2012 at 03:50 PM
General Other Performances Company Members

Think singing can’t change the world? Just ask these ladies:

The moment you have all been awaiting is right around the corner!  Our annual Monkey-O-Kee karaoke benefit will occur on Sunday, February 12 from 8pm-11pm at Mad River Bar & Grille, 2909 N. Sheffield Ave.  “What is it all about?” you may ask.  It is all about supporting Barrel of Monkeys’ work in the Chicago Public Schools.  Without you attending, singing, and laughing, the amazing stories written by children are at risk.

BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY

You know who loves Monkey-o-kee? The unnamed old lady from The Cowboys Who Fighted

When you purchase a ticket for the extremely fair price of $25, you not only get the chance to support BOM’s work with Chicago’s youth – igniting their imaginations, boosting their self-esteem and improving literacy – but you ALSO get well drinks, beer and wine, pizza AND pasta, not to mention the karaoke, and therefore, entertainment in abundance.

You know who loves Monkey-o-kee? The unnamed old lady from Grannies Lean Like a Cholo

Various and sundry other fun and fabulous activities will occur at the event, including a prize wheel, sponsored Monkey performances, and maybe a few surprises along the way.

You know who loves Monkey-o-kee? The unnamed old lady from Marshmelow

Ok. actually, that is Kayla from Cheerleaders.  But you get the point.

If you buy your tickets online now you will receive two, count them TWO, free spins on the prize wheel!  Could it get better?  Possibly and likely, but you will only know if you show up.

Buy dem tickets.

Also, look out for a blog detailing the sponsored monkey line-up.

These two are so excited about Monkey-O-Kee, they are dancing:

 

 

 

Amok, amok, amok, amok…

Posted by Emjoy on February 1, 2012 at 06:24 PM
School Shows

So many celebrities were running amok at the Lorca show this week, it was hard to not be starstruck.  Even though their agents would not grant me interviews, I managed to track down what they were Tweeting, during the show. 

@ GhostMichaelJackson
I still got the moves! Only you can prevent forest fires! Shamone!

 

@Rita’sHusbandMike 
Does anyone have any advice? My wife is stuck in an igloo she thought was a tanning booth.

 

 

@Ashley’sCousinKuka 
I’ll never let you go, Justin!  I love it when U smile! Sorry my cousin keeps beating you up! 

 

 

@TonyHawkZombieSlayer 
Zombies, it’s time for a meltdown.  I’m about to pull an FS 540 on your faces.

 

While performers are typically discouraged from updating their Twitter accounts during a show, I am so glad this group embraced technology just this one time.  And I was equally glad to have taken part in this show at all.  As the Lorca Orca once tweeted, “EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeee…”
(that means “Adios, friends! Until next time!”)

Cowkids and Zombies

Posted by Molly on January 30, 2012 at 06:10 AM
That's Weird Grandma TWG Weekly Update

What more could you want from a Monday night? One hour of entertainment written by Chicago’s finest authors and delivered by Chicago’s finest actors.

New stories tonight include:

Cowboy and Cowgirl Fighting in the Barn, by Alex and Maria from Lorca Elementary and Zombie Story by Ethan from our Loyola Park Afterschool Program

Say this to Kassi:  “IT’S MY SHEEP!” at the box office for a discounted ticket.

Bieber-ed Out?

Posted by Emjoy on January 24, 2012 at 11:42 PM
School Shows

Ladies and gentlemen, let me start out by saying I do not condone violence in any way.  Unless it is used in special circumstances like self-defense.    Or comedy. 

One of my new favorite stories was written on “Stretching the Truth” day.  It is called “Hitting Justin Bieber.”  And it is hilarious.  In the past few years, we’ve gotten many stories about Mr. Bieber.  In a lot of these, he saves the day with his songs or his hairstyle.  But not this time.  I can’t give too much away, but our protagonist insists he had it coming.

This is what I imagine he looked like once Ashley is through with him. 

 

I know, I know.  You’re thinking…WAIT!  THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN!  WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO DO HARM TO THIS GUY? HE’S JUST SO COOL LOOKING!!!

 

...Well. I don’t know what to tell you, except…Never say never.