Barrel of Monkeys invites you to join them by the imaginary hearth and celebrate the warmth of the holiday season with THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: THE HOLIDAY SPECIAL, featuring a festive array of holiday-themed favorites like Santa and Taco Bell, The Crazy Reindeer, Snowmen From Pluto, Santa’s Mean Day and many more – all conceived and written by Chicago Public School students and adapted for the stage and performed by Barrel of Monkeys Company Members.
Directed by Artistic Director Molly Brennan, THAT’S WEIRD GRANDMA: THE HOLIDAY SPECIAL plays Mondays at 8 pm from December 9, 2013 – January 13, 2014 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Clever and funny – touching and poignant – the weekly collection of short sketches are equally entertaining for both 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 16th 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.
Barrel of Monkeys’ regular edition of THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA plays September 9 – October 2013, followed by a CHICAGO’S WEIRDO, GRANDMA featuring weekly guest artists and companies from October 28 – December 2, 2013.
PRODUCTION DEAILS:
Title: THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: THE HOLIDAY SPECIAL
Written by: Chicago Public School Students
Adapted for the stage by: Barrel of Monkeys Company Members
Director:Artistic Director Molly Brennan
Featuring: Barrel of Monkeys Company Members
Location: Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago
Dates: December 9, 2013 – January 13, 2014
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.
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 Chicagoland toured all over the country. Her acting credits include: 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 Second City, 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.
Sunday Matinees Return January 26 – March 30, 2014
Monday Night Performances Resume March 2 – 31, 2014
Barrel of Monkeys' long running (12 years and counting...) weekly production THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA is a pure delight. The kids and I have gone several times over the years, most recently last Monday, and I don't know who laughed harder. These witty actors truly are the BOM and the scripts taken from actual Chi-town school kids are hilarious.
If you've got littles with school or an early day job and the usual 9pm end time on a Monday is a deal breaker, you're in luck. Winter Sunday matinees are back! This show is generally aimed at adults/written by kids --truly "must see" theatre for all ages. So go already.
Barrel of Monkeys is pleased to bring back the popular Sunday matinees series of its long-running, critically acclaimed revue THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA playing January 26 – March 30, 2014 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Then, it’s “March Monkey Madness” with two weekly performances from March 2 – 31, 2013 when Monday evening performances resume! THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA is 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 both 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 16th 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.
Barrel of Monkeys’ CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA (featuring weekly guest artists and companies) plays from October 28 – December 2, 2013 and THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: THE HOLIDAY SPECIAL (featuring an array of holiday themed favorites) plays December 9, 2013 – January 13, 2014.
PRODUCTION DETAILS:
Title: THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Winter 2014
Written by: Chicago Public School Students
Adapted for the stage by: Barrel of Monkeys Company Members
Featuring: Barrel of Monkeys Company Members
Location: Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago
Dates: Sundays at 2 pm January 26 – March 30, 2014. Mondays at 8 pm March 2 – 31, 2014.
Tickets: $12 for adults; $6 for children under 12. Tickets are available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org or by calling (312) 409-1954.
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.
Seanachaí Theatre Company is pleased to kick-off its 2013-14 season with Conor McPherson’s Tony and Olivier Award-nominated drama THE SEAFARER directed by Matt Miller and featuring ensemble members Ira Amyx, Brad Armacost,Shane Kenyon, Kevin Theis and Dan Waller. THE SEAFARER plays November 27, 2013 – January 5, 2014 at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.seanachai.org or by calling (866) 811-4111.
On Christmas Eve, a pair of brothers are set to enjoy the holidays in true Dublin spirit with cards, booze and friends – until a stranger from long ago arrives to collect a debt. THE SEAFARER is an eerie and darkly humorous masterpiece from one of Ireland’s most celebrated playwrights.
The production team for THE SEAFARER includes: Joe Schermoly (scenic design), Beth Laske-Miller (costume design), Julian Pike (lighting design), Stephen Ptacek (sound design), Elise Kauzlaric (dialect design), Seanachaí ensemble member Jeff Christian (production stage manager), Rebecca Willingham (assistant director) and Andrew Donnelly (stage manager).
PRODUCTION DETAILS:
Title: THE SEAFARER
Playwright: Conor McPherson
Director: Matt Miller
Cast: Seanachaí Theatre ensemble members Ira Amyx (Ivan), Brad Armacost (Richard), Shane Kenyon (Nicky), Kevin Theis (Mr. Lockhart) and Dan Waller (Sharky).
Location: The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee in Chicago
Dates: Preview: Wednesday, November 27 at 7:30 pm
Press performance: Friday, November 29 at 7:30 pm
Regular run: Saturday, November 30, 2014 – Sunday, January 5, 2014. Note: there will not be a performance on Thursday, November 28 (Thanksgiving).
Curtain Times: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3pm
Tickets: Previews $12. Regular run $26 Thursdays & Fridays, $30 Saturdays & Sundays. Seniors/students $5 off. Tickets are available at visit www.seanachai.org or by calling (866) 811-4111. Group discounts (8 or more) are available by calling (773) 878-3727.
About the Playwright
Conor McPherson is one of Ireland's premier contemporary playwrights, currently produced worldwide, in London's West End and on Broadway to both critical and audience acclaim. His plays include The Veil (premiered at the Royal National Theatre October 2011, directed by the author), The Weir, The Seafarer, Port Authority, St. Nicholas, Shining City and Dublin Carol. The New York Times proclaimed him "the finest playwright of his generation." His new play, The Night Alive premiered at the Donmar in June 2013.
About the Director
Originally from Kent, Ohio, Matt Miller is a Chicago based director and teacher. His previous credits with Seanachai Theatre include The Weir and a joint production of St. Nicholas with Shanghai Low Theatricals. Other recent directing credits include The Killer Angels with Lifeline Theatre, Superior Donuts with Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co., Oblivion and 4000 Miles (staged reading with Deanna Dunagan) for Steppenwolf’s First Look Repertory, A Girl With Sun In Her Eyes and This Is Our Youth with Pine Box Theater, and the world premiere of Graceland with Profiles Theatre (Jeff Award winner, Best New Work). Matt is also a proud fifteen-year company member with Barrel of Monkeys, a theatre group that provides creative writing workshops for Chicago Public Elementary Schools that lack arts funding.
About Seanachaí Theatre Company
Seanachaí is the Gaelic word for Storyteller. It was the duty of the Seanachaí to keep these stories alive. The mission of Seanachaí Theatre Company is to return theatre to this origin - by creating compelling productions and programs that focus the energy of artists towards the common goal of exceptional storytelling. To achieve this end, Seanachaí Theatre Company strives to provide an atmosphere where all theatre artists – actors, playwrights, directors and designers – have the support and assurance to collaborate openly.
Seanachaí Theatre Company is supported in part by The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Charles River Associates, the Illinois Arts Council and The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs: City Arts Program.
"Boneshaker is just like Skelebration only it's 21+ and there's booze and fire!" Frank Maugeri
ChiIL Mama was super stoked to be invited to a small press walk through during the build for this show, earlier in October.
Check out our full set of shots in the slide show below & a recap of our favorites at the end of this feature. Then get your tickets NOW before they sell out! Boneshaker is this Friday, Nov 1 only. Skelebration is 4 shows this Saturday and Sunday. We'll have a full photo recap after, but there's nothing like being there!
Boneshaker and Skelebration make our ChiIL Picks List for must see events!
We've been huge fans of Redmoon's work since their humble Humboldt beginnings. As much as we adore seeing their spectacles come to fruition, we also love to see the back story--the engineering that goes into their tag line "engineering wonder".
We geek out on the process as much as the productions and want to bring you... our readers, along for the ride.
Come take a sneak peek behind the curtain and see what the wizards at Redmoon have concocted. When Producing Artistic Director, Frank Maugeri, led our tour, his enthusiasm was infectious.
"Why Skelebration? I wanted something for my kids to do that wasn't another pumpkin patch or hay ride... Here's an alternative Halloween experience." Frank Maugeri
Are you jazzed yet for Redmoon's annual Boneshaker extravaganza and their new fam friendly Skelebration the following day?! These guys have moved to new digs in Pilsen and do they ever know how to throw a party.
Come break in their new space right! Boneshaker is truly the place to see and be seen. Get one more go out of your Halloween costumes and come out to play in this stellar space. Boneshaker 2013 is ONE night only, this Friday Nov 1st. Chicago's taste makers will mingle with inner city musicians & artists with raw talent to spare. A cast of 100+ costumed actors will facilitate your hands on experience. The past few years, Boneshaker was crazy crowded, a victim of it's own success. Thankfully, Redmoon's space has expanded exponentially. Their new home is 7 times the size of their old 7,000 sq foot space. This year there's room to spread your wings! Party goers can mingle freely, take time to explore, and enjoy both the large scale spectacle and the tiny suitcase style minutia that Redmoon is infamous for.
We asked Frank in particular, how Boneshaker compares with Redmoon's All Hallows Eve Ritual celebrations that used to be a free, highlight of Halloween, outdoors in Logan Square. Frank said, "They were both interactive and both involve spectacle experience. More importantly though, next year, October 4th we'll begin the Great Chicago Fire Festival, which is the amplification of what All Hallows was. Really in depth, committed work, with community members in 15 neighborhoods, to create massive effigies that are placed on the river & then burned." This is an exciting shift in Redmoon's overarching plan. They'll now have an annual series of reoccurring seasonal events, people can count on, more akin to a "season", like traditional theatre spaces. And the new space ensures that Redmoon can do indoor works on a giant scale, like the 70' wide by 20' tall shadow puppet screen! What's in store: Wooden monkey masks with jaws that move when the actors speak! (modeled by Frank himself)
Recycle/Re-appropriate: The infamous cabinet from The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari will be serving brews from inverted acrobats!
Worlds Collide: Mucca Pazza and Redmoon!! Love it when our friends & favorites collaborate. Favs: "spinning motorcycle thrill ride" I got to try this one out and it's Great America FUN without the long lines! There's also an element of danger since there's no seat belt or locking bar on this ride.
All Ages Fun at Skelebration:
Costumed frivolity and merriment doesn’t end with Halloween. Right after All Hallow’s Eve, November 1-3, Redmoon opens the doors of its cavernous new Pilsen home for a weekend of festivity and interactive art & Spectacle where Chicagoans can let their imaginations run wild.
Friday, November 1, Redmoon presents Boneshaker, a 21-and-up evening of revelry, music, dancing, food and drink, all on an epic scale. So everyone can cut loose responsibly, Redmoon has arranged free shuttle service from downtown to Boneshaker via Chicago Classic Coach.
The next days, Saturday and Sunday, November 2-3, Redmoon presents the family-friendly Skelebration, a new event for parents and children to explore, discover and connect with their community.
COOL FALL REVELRY HEATS UP AT REDMOON:
Chicago’s Spectacle Experts Open New “INDOORS” Season with
BONESHAKER, November 1 (21+)
and SKELEBRATION, November 2 & 3 (Family-friendly)
Indoor Roller Skating Rink, Signature “Fire Organ” and Mobile DJs all part of the fun!
At Redmoon’s new Pilsen home, 2120 S. Jefferson St.
Chicago’s acclaimed Spectacle company Redmoonkicks off its new “Redmoon INDOORS” Spectacle Series this November with two multimedia events celebrating the ritual of Halloween in fresh, alternative ways, both under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Frank Maugeri and the event direction of Artistic Associate Will Bishop.
On Friday, November 1 (All Saints Day), the 3rdannual Boneshaker returns for a 21-and-over night of costumed fun that combines interactive site-specific design and unique contraptions with hours of unexpected entertainment. Immediately following Boneshaker,Saturday and Sunday, November 2-3, Redmoon opens its mammoth 57,000-square-foot Pilsen headquarters for Skelebration, a new event for parents and children to celebrate the fall season and adventure together in Redmoon’s exploratory Spectacle playground. Both Boneshaker and Skelebration take place in Redmoon’s home at 2120 S. Jefferson Street.
“At Redmoon, we’re opening our ‘INDOORS’ season with something for everyone. First, a 21-and-over happening that Chicagoans have begun to look forward to each year, and then something for families,” said Maugeri. “Boneshaker is a contemporary, wild, outrageous experience for the 21st-century adventurer. We will wholly transform our new home into an immersive, interactive Spectacle universe. Skelebration is a similar event but altered for kids of all ages. As the father of seven-year-old twins, I wanted a sophisticated, unusual, exploratory event that would absolutely amaze kids and be a ton of fun for parents, too. That’s what we’re creating here: an event full of eclectic hands-on activities and Spectacle wonder that will be unforgettable for both its sheer scale and imagination.”
Boneshaker
Friday, November 1, 2013
9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Boneshaker is coordinated and produced by the Youth Engineering Spectacle (Y.E.S.) Committee, Redmoon’s young professionals board. It’s an interactive night of revelry, music, dancing, food and drink, all on an epic scale. Among the many offerings of this festive world of Spectacle are:
·**Performances by the 30-person punk rock marching band Mucca Pazza
·A chance to be in a two-minute, live-feed movie, complete with director, actors and green screen elements, projected upon a giant screen for all guests to view
·An interactive, underwater-themed shadow world
·An indoor roller skate rink – roller skates provided – complete with a roller skating bear
·Several mobile DJ contraptions, including Redmoon’s massive “Sonic Boom” mobile device capable of 12,000 watts of sound
·Outdoor performances by a Redmoon signature, the “Fire Organ,” a dual forklift with 12 organ pipes which shoot bursts of fire synchronized with music
·Various food and drink contraptions, including the “Kegway,” a new Redmoon invention which combines a Segway with tap service, plus classic Redmoon service devices: “Wine Bikes,” “The Teapot Libation Machine” and more
·An opportunity to roast hot dogs outdoors on Redmoon’s massive “Fire Candelabras”
Free shuttle service during Boneshaker is provided by Chicago Classic Coach, running from 10 p.m. onward between Redmoon and 77 W. Wacker Drive downtown.
Tickets to Boneshaker are on sale now and are priced at $75, which include food and drinks throughout the evening. Boneshaker is a 21+ event. Tickets are available by calling the Redmoon Box Office at 312-850-8440 x123 or online at www.redmoon.org. Special group rates are available.
Skelebration
Saturday and Sunday, November 2-3, 2013
Times: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The Saturday and Sunday following Boneshaker, Redmoon presents Skelebration, a brand new family-friendly event for parents and children to explore, discover and connect with their community. For two-hour blocks, families have a chance to:
·Build shadow puppets and perform in Redmoon’s giant shadow world shows
·Build masks to wear in a parade alongside Redmoon performers and massive mobile DJ devices
·Play in Redmoon’s indoor park of swings and roller skates – roller skates provided
·Bicycle around the space – bicycles provided or families may bring their own
·Watch Laika’s Coffin, a four-person puppet opera created by Maugeri and directed by Alex Balestrieri, Redmoon Director of Events
·Enjoy folk and rock music by various family acts and musical schools from across the city
Tickets for Skelebration are on sale now and are priced at $20 for adults, $12 for kids age 3+ and free for kids under 3. Skelebration is for all ages. Tickets include two-hour entrance, food and activities. Tickets are available by calling the Redmoon Box Office at 312-850-8440 x123 or online at www.redmoon.org.
About Redmoon
Redmoon's mission is to transform the experience of our city through free large-scale theatrical events that promote community, creativity and an empowered democracy. Redmoon burst into Chicago’s cultural consciousness with its award-winning production of Moby Dick in 1995. Commended for its unique aesthetic, the production boasted a unique blend of puppetry, pageantry, gadgetry and robust physical performance that became Redmoon’s signature. While the indoor productions continued to receive critical acclaim and popular support, Executive Artistic Director Jim Lasko chose to focus the theater’s energy outdoors, where Redmoon sought to deploy spectacle to bridge difference and transform the ways that people see and understand public spaces. Over the past 23 years, Redmoon has become a valued Chicago institution with its high-profile collaborations, vibrant outdoor performances and genuine community partnerships. Site-specific performances opened in Millennium Park, animated the façade of the Museum of Contemporary Art and commemorated the groundbreaking for the Modern Wing for the Art Institute. At the same time, Redmoon brought its work to the parks and streets of Chicago’s neighborhoods. Redmoon has performed for more than 250,000 people in 30 different neighborhoods. In 2009, Lasko joined forces with longtime collaborator Frank Maugeri to co-lead Redmoon as it garnered international attention for its unique productions, site-specific performances and participatory events. Most recently, this included Redmoon’s Summer Park Series – a Mayor’s Night Out in the Parks event. Under the design and directorial leadership of Maugeri and Artistic Associate Will Bishop, the series brought community celebrations to a lineup of 10 public parks on the South and West Sides of the city. From July through September, Redmoon and its team of collaborators – Young Chicago Authors and The Bucket Boys – presented free drum and poetry workshops, community meals and open performances to more than 10,000 community members.
Upcoming
Winter Pageant
Directed by John Musial with Frank Maugeri
Dec 13 – 15, Dec 20 – 22, 2013
Times: Fridays – 7 p.m.
Saturdays – 4 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Sundays – 1:30 p.m. & 4 p.m.
In December, the 15th Annual Winter Pageant features collaborators Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts and punk rock surf band San Andreas Fault. The approximately 50-minute-long production is directed by John Musial with Frank Maugeri. The 2013 Winter Pageant presents a new original myth inspired by the poem “The Conference of the Birds” by Farid ud-Din Atta and tells the story of a flock of birds who journey to find their lost king. The production evokes themes of hope and community. Audiences at this nontraditional family production can expect Redmoon’s intricate mechanics, inventive puppetry, expressive dance and unique style of visual wonder.
On the Saturdays leading up to Winter Pageant, November 9 – December 7, Redmoon will open its doors for Open Access Builds, where community members of all ages can help Redmoon artists create art and objects for the Winter Pageant production.
Every day is Halloween for The Misfits. Still it was a treat to see them earlier this October at one of Chicago's newest music venues, Concord Music Hall. These guys have one of the most recognizable band logos out there, and they know how to rock a theme! Of course they played all their own hits, and we even got to hear 'em cover Black Flag.
Check out our full set of live show shots below.
The Concord's a pretty sweet space, close to The Congress, yet much more intimate. There are plentiful bars and rumor is they'll be greatly expanding their presently meager beer choices next month. At the moment they offer flaming bottles of booze, a fair selection of mixed drinks, and a few beers.
The main venue is up a bunch of stairs, so don't get too drunk to get back down them. Balconies provide sweet sight lines (& refuge for younger kids at all ages shows) and there's a bit of seating around the edges of the back two levels. Watch your shins, though. The black trunk like tables blend in to the dark and are bruisers. A few lucky punk kin scored pit seating and more young kids were lining the balcony rails where they we're out of the crushing zone and had a great view of the mosh pit.
We're hoping Concord Music Hall improve the audio a bit along with the already slated improvements to the beers on tap. The sound's loud enough but thin and weak on the bass end of things. Otherwise, Concords a great addition to the mid sized club scene and to Logan Square in particular. They've got an interesting and varied line up slated through fall. Check 'em out here! Here's a few of our favorites:
