Joe and Rachel attempted a Monkey Trifecta this Monday: school show, teaching, Grandma.
To keep themselves alert and energized between stages two and three, they made this vlog for you!
Enjoy!
Joe & Rachel’s Big Day from Barrel of Monkeys on Vimeo.
Barrel of Monkeys' critically acclaimed weekly showcase!
Monday nights at 8pm!
Sunday afternoons at 2pm!*
*Sunday matinees run through April 4. Monday night shows resume March 15!
After teaching creative writing in the CPS system, BOM’s ensemble of actors, comedians, musicians and playwrights selects and adapts some of the thousands of stories generated by children for stage presentation. The result has been an audience favorite—a show that is “safe” for all ages, yet very much appreciated by an adult audience. “That’s Weird, Grandma” changes each week according to audience votes (switching one to three sketches each performance), and each show runs about one hour. The show started in April 2001, and has produced over 500 stories and musical numbers.
- Dates, Directions and More Info
- Buy Tickets Online!
- Print out this coupon for $2 off admission! (Does not apply to online orders)
Christopher Piatt of the Chicago Reader says: "This group is funnier than anything at Second City, more genuinely creative than anything at Lookingglass, and does more good than all the other nonprofit theaters in town put together. If you don't have a good time, there's something wrong with you."
From The Blog: Performances Read more blog entries »
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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