Barrel of Monkeys' THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: THE MUSICAL to Play the Neo-Futurist Theater

Barrel of Monkeys is pleased to bring back THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: THE MUSICAL, an all-musical revue featuring stories conceived and written by Chicago Public School students, adapted into songs and performed by Barrel of Monkeys Company Members and directed by Geoff Rice. THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: THE MUSICAL will play Sundays at 2 pm and Mondays at 8 pm from March 20 - April 11, 2016 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org. The press performance is Monday, March 21 at 8 pm.

Clever and funny - touching and poignant - the collection of short songs featured in THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: THE MUSICAL is equally entertaining for adults and children. Barrel of Monkeys, a Chicago-based arts education theater ensemble now in its 19th 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: THE MUSICAL

Written by: Chicago Public School Students

Adapted for the stage by: Barrel of Monkeys Company Members

Director: Company Member Geoff Rice

Featuring: Barrel of Monkeys Company Members

Location: Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago

Dates: March 20 - April 11, 2016

Press performance: Monday, March 21 at 8 pm

Curtain times: Sundays at 2 pm; Mondays at 8 pm

Tickets: $12 for adults; $6 for children under 12. Tickets are available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org.

ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES:

THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: The Holiday Special, a line-up of stories old and new inspired by the holidays, continues Mondays at 8 pm through December 28, 2015. THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Winter Wonderland Matinees, plays Sundays at 2 pm from February 14 - March 13, 2016.

About the Director

Geoff Rice has been a company member of Barrel of Monkeys since 1999, serving as an actor, teacher, director and composer. In and around Chicago, he has been seen on numerous Chicago stages including Chicago Shakespeare, Lookingglass, Northlight, Theatre at the Center, Chicago Children's Theatre, The House and About Face. He has also appeared on some of the country's top regional stages including Actors Theatre of Louisville and The Rep in St. Louis. His directing credits include countless musical stagings with Barrel of Monkeys as well as Apocalypse Wow, the 2013 holiday extravaganza written by and starring Joe Schupbach and Elizabeth Levy. Geoff is a graduate of Northwestern University's Musical Theatre program.

About Barrel of Monkeys

Since Barrel of Monkeys' inception in 1997 it has worked in 60 Chicago Public Schools. More than 8,000 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.

Photo by Evan Hanover

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