Our last two performances at Lifeline are today at 11am and 2pm!

This show is thrilling and special.
The running order consists of some old classics as well as never-before-seen-soon-to-be classics.
Here it is:

First Airplane Ride by Paige O.
The Real Story: The Unfairly First Man on the Moon by Sebby D.
Twilight by Gianna M.
Science Rocks by Hannan R. 
Batman Saves the World by BJ
Evil Brothers (untitled) by Aaron H., Stuti S., Gavreel S.
Truble With Adrainna by Kaya O.
THREE DAY COLLEGE!!! By Cedric T.
“Serious” by Sofia B.
The Fifth President by Nia T.
Gymnastics Tournament by Timie O.
W-I-A-R-D by Lucy N., Hannah P., Zoe K.
The Strange Story (party city) by Diamond J.
When I Fell off the Top Bunk by Stephaun B.
Monkeys are Smart by Jordan W.
HAUNTED PIANO by Danielle W.
Characters by Vivisan C.
Farticine by Del S.
Woman Rampage by Dante H.

Ticket Link and More Info HERE. YOU WILL LIKE IT!!!

Barrel of Monkeys put on their grownup shoes and dress pants this week to attend the TCG (Theatre Communications Group) Conference. We were able to get a grant from the League of Chicago Theatres and the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation that enabled us to attend.  We met a lot of interesting people from all over the country, and even parts of the UK, and got to share information about all the interesting theatre work that is happening all over.  It was inspiring and exciting.

What was also exciting was to be able to share with all those folks all the incredible theatre that is happening right here in Chicago.  Throughout the conference, “pop-up” performances would, well, pop up at various points of the day.  You would be walking to Montrose Room 5 for your panel discussion on board development and BOOM, theatre would happen right in your face.  Chicago theatre companies, including BOM, were asked to present 4-minute theatre pieces that could be presented say, by the bank of elevators, or by the Womens Restroom or even while on your way to Montrose Room 5 as people scurried to snag a seat in the breakout session on board development.  It was kind of great to watch people be accosted by people making and presenting theatre on their way to go talk about theatre.

Barrel of Monkeys chose a wonderful piece to perform called “Two Thinking Tigers” presented by Luke Hatton, Rani Waterman and a third BOM company member in disguise. I think its befitting that our pop-up performance had to do with tigers.  Cuz the thing about tigers is, they can pop out of nowhere.  And you certainly won’t expect to find them in a fancy hotel.  Or in a car. Here is a picture of the trio getting ready to perform their “tigerocity.” And yes, those couches were extremely comfortable.  100 points for the person who can guess the mystery person sitting betwixt these fine actors. Extra 50 points if you can guess what Rani is thinking at this exact moment.

We were able to film the performance and you can also watch all the cool pop-up performances here.  I hope I didn’t ruin the element of surprise by telling you where you could find them.

Hey Blog types,

This Saturday Jan. 9 at 2pm, we will be performing at the Theater Building (1225 W. Belmont Ave.) as part of The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, and, more specifically, SketchFest for Kids!

The festival has over 200 groups performing between January 7th-17th!

Come on by to see our special 40 minute show! One time only!

Also, at least two other groups performing at the festival have Monkeys in them:
Laura on Laura
Tim & Micah
Klepper & Grey

okay. 3 other groups.

More info at chicagosketchfest.com

Come on by to behold the comedy!!!

Donnell! It’s been a while, but I’m back and happier than ever! I’ve had the pleasure of performing in the Avondale school show so far, and I’ve signed up for a few more in the coming months. Also, if you’ve not seen That’s Weird, Grandma!, shame on you! And now on to Jelly… Nachdem jump!

Read more…

For this Halloween, Barrel of Monkeys played at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Hallowed Halls Halloween celebration!  On Saturday morning, Barrel of Monkeys worked with about 40 kids in costume in a writing workshop and performance. 

(Jason Sperling and Laura Grey with a Hallowed Halls attendee.)

A group of Fairytale Characters and Creatures wrote and performed a story about two fairytales!  In one, everything was splendid.  In the other, a dragon and dwarf crushed the princesses and ate the kings.  A cat with good reflexes, a Monkey King, and The Grand Master save the day.  For now…

(Rachel Wilson and Jason Sperling meeting the Fairytale Characters and Creatures.)

The Superheroes wrote and performed a story about overcoming a mass of bad guys, which included the dreaded Bowser!  The story concluded with a well deserved celebration with pizza, hot chips, and pop. 

(Mario and Luigi have come across Bowser before!)

The Monsters and Witches wrote and performed a story about a haunted house with a ton of ambushes, but at the end, at the snap of a finger, everything was turned back to normal. 

(So many scary kids!)

The afternoon concluded with a performance of “That’s Weird, Grandma” to a crowd of more than 300 families! 

What a great way to spend Halloween. 

What did YOU do?!?