Jun 24

That’s Weird, Abuelita - A Director Converses with Himself

Posted by Luke on June 24, 2011 at 12:51 PM
General Other Performances

Luke with a pencil and paper: Tell us about the origins and purpose of That’s Weird, Abuelita (TWA).

Luke in a black turtle neck: I’ve been thinking about this show that opens tonight at Little Village High School for quite some time. We have partnered with both Little Village Academy and Columbia Explorers Academy for many years and the students there have written hundreds of hilarious and heartfelt stories which we’ve adapted for the stage. I’m excited for us to share these stories in the community where they originated.

Luke with a pencil and paper: What can people look forward to about this particular show?

Luke in a black turtle neck: The show has a very strong visual aesthetic. Usually this is present in our shows about 20% of the time. In TWA it’s more like 80 or 90%. I would say it is the most physical performance BOM has ever done (as evidenced by how exhausted everyone is after a run). We have some really amazing visual artists in our company and so it’s great to be able to showcase that. It’s been a newer development in our aesthetic and I’m really delighted in how we’ve grown as visual storytellers.

Luke with a pencil and paper: If people—

Luke in a black turtle neck: I also have to say that the work and assistance of the fluent Spanish speakers in the show (Marla, Ricky and Lacy) has been invaluable. We have a handful of others who dabble in the language or have been game to try and that’s made a huge difference in what we’ve been capable of achieving.

Luke with a pencil and paper: Great. If people are worried about getting hungry during the show, what do you suggest?

Luke in a black turtle neck: Deal with it. Ha, J/K. You’re in luck. We are going to have free food available outside of the theater before each of the performances (starting at 6:45).

Luke with a pencil and paper: More deets, please.

Luke in a black turtle neck: “Deets” is not a word. THAT’S WEIRD, ABUELITA OPENS TONIGHT AND RUNS FOUR FRIDAYS ONLY! (THRU JULY 15TH). THE SHOW IS AT 7:30PM AT LITTLE VILLAGE HIGH SCHOOL (3120 S. KOSTNER AVE.) TICKETS ARE $10 AND $5 FOR KIDS. IT IS FREE IF YOU ARE A PAST BOM STUDENT OR AN LVHS STUDENT.

IF YOU SAY “CONEJO”, YOU GET $2 OFF YOUR TICKET PRICE!! TALK ABOUT CHEAP. CALL 312 409-1954 TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION OR GO HERE.

Luke with a pencil and paper: This concludes our interview.

Luke in a black turtle neck: I know.

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Jun 19

The Fourth of July Comes Early for TWG

Posted by Luke on June 19, 2011 at 06:13 AM
That's Weird Grandma TWG Weekly Update

The Fireworks. The BBQs. The veggie burger glazed with beef juice because a hamburger was cooked in the same spot just before it.
If you’re me, these are the things you associate with the birth of this great, special, superior, love-it-or-leave-it nation.
At TWG, the celebration of our nation’s birth begins this Monday night. We won’t have rehearsal on July 3rd, so we have to put in the story about The Fourth of July now. It is called Fourth of July.
Now sometimes at BOM we get a little carried away and put stories into the show JUST because a holiday is nigh e.g. The Hot Fudge and the Elf.
Fourth of July is not that kind of story.
It is good. I would put it in the show even if it wasn’t the Fourth of July, but since it is (or will be) even better.
In it, actors play fireworks. How often have you seen that? You will.
If you say “piranhas” at the box office, you will save $2 on your admission ticket. I decided to put this information in the middle of the entry, so people don’t just skip to the end of the blog to save money without relishing my words.
Also, we’re putting in a piece called Ducks Follow a Kid. It is weird and funny.

Below is the running order.
You will like it.

Too Much New Stuff! or TWG on Monday 6/13

Posted by Luke on June 11, 2011 at 09:05 PM
That's Weird Grandma TWG Weekly Update

Ah, the blank canvas that is both this empty square (no more!) and the infinite possibility before us now that 320 new stories are eligible to be in That’s Weird, Grandma.
You see, Celebration of Authors, which was on Tuesday, marks the end of our school show season and so all the fine theatrical pieces we created during the year are now eligible to be in That’s Weird, Grandma.
What I’m telling you is that Monday night’s show is going to be packed with fresh, hilarious and new material that you will want to come experience.

Take The Vegan Vampire for instance. Super.
or
The Poor Old Lady. A little nutty, right? Well our resident Musical Director has transformed it into a song NOT TO BE MISSED.

Also, we welcome back to the stage not one but TWO company members returning from afar. They are top talents.
They are Erica Halverson and Ricardo Gamboa, Esq.
Erica is one of the founders of Barrel of Monkeys. Ricardo is the 9th most popular Chicago native on Facebook.

If you’re strapped for cash (who isn’t?!) you can say, “vegan vampire” at the box office to get $2 off your ticket.
You will like it.

June Performances

Posted by Amanda Farrar on June 6, 2011 at 09:29 AM
General That's Weird Grandma Celebration of Authors Other Performances

Monkey Friends!

June is here - and it is packed full of Monkey madness!

1) “Celebration of Authors” is TOMORROW! Call Steppenwolf and make your reservations for this free event!

2) “That’s Weird, Grandma” is OFF tonight, but returns on Monday, June 13 and runs every Monday through the end of August NON-STOP!

3) Our newest production, “That’s Weird, Abuelita” opens in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago on Friday, June 24 and runs Fridays through July 15! Don’t miss this very special performance featuring the stories of Little Village Elementary School.