Barrel of Monkeys Presents: THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Back To School Edition Directed by Artistic Director Molly Brennan September 8 – October 6, 2014
Summer may be winding down, but the fun doesn’t have to end as Barrel of Monkeys presents the Back To School Edition of its long-running, critically acclaimed revue THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA, directed by Artistic Director Molly Brennan, playing Mondays at 8 pm from September 8 – October 6, 2014 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. The new school year brings plenty of new stories – all conceived and written by Chicago Public School students and adapted for the stage and performed by Barrel of Monkeys Company Members. Clever and funny – touching and poignant – the collection of short sketches are equally entertaining for adults and children. The line-up changes each week by audience vote, so no two shows are ever the same. For tickets, reservations and information visit www.barrelofmonkeys.org or call (312) 409-1954.
Barrel of Monkeys, a Chicago-based arts education theater ensemble now in its 18th season, conducts creative writing workshops with 3rd through 5th grade students in underserved Chicago Public Schools. The ensemble of actor-educators then turns their stories and words into professionally performed theater, presented both in-school and for the general public through its revues. Barrel of Monkeys annually performs more than 300 student-written stories for the students in their schools and 175 stories on the stage for the general public.
PRODUCTION DETAILS:
Title: THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Back To School Edition
Written by: Chicago Public School Students
Adapted for the stage by: Barrel of Monkeys Company Members
Director: Molly Brennan
Featuring: Barrel of Monkeys Company Members
Location: Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago
Dates: September 8 – October 6, 2014
Press performance: Monday, September 15 at 8 pm
Curtain Times: Mondays at 8 pm
Tickets: $12 for adults; $6 for children under 12. Tickets are available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org or by calling (312) 409-1954.
Barrel of Monkeys’ current summer revue of THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA continues throughMonday, September 1, 2014 at the Neo-Futurist Theater.
About the Director
Molly Brennan, a Barrel of Monkeys company member since 1999, has held a variety of positions in the company, including actor, teacher, lead teacher, director and artistic associate. She was named Artistic Director in 2011. Brennan is also a Company Member of 500 Clown, and has performed in Chicago and toured all over the country. Her recent acting credits include: American Mixtape at Second City, The Life and Death of Madam Barker at Red Tape Theatre, Second City’s Guide to the Opera at Lyric, Lookingglass Theatre’s Peter Pan, A Play and Lookingglass Alice; and Harpo Marx in Goodman Theatre’s Animal Crackers. She has also performed with About Face Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, The House Theatre of Chicago, Lifeline Theatre and Factory Theater.
About Barrel of Monkeys
Since Barrel of Monkeys’ inception in 1997 it has worked in 57 Chicago Public Schools. More than 7,000 lower-income elementary school students have participated in the Barrel of Monkeys programs that provide a rare opportunity for creative expression and build literacy skills, self-esteem and confidence in student ideas and abilities.