Photo Flash: Sneak Peek at Barrel of Monkeys' CHICAGO'S WEIRD, GRANDMA, Running This Winter

Just when you thought Monday nights couldn't get any better, Barrel of Monkeys is partnering with some of Chicago''s best performing arts companies for its third iteration of CHICAGO'S WEIRD, GRANDMA, directed by Jason Sperling, playing Mondays at 8 pm from October 27 - December 1, 2014 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in action!

Each week, different guest companies will bring their unique talents to transform stories written by Chicago Public School students into entertaining sketches incorporating puppetry, sketch comedy, clowning, music, dance and other disciplines.

This year's guest companies include: The Hypocrites, Lookingglass Theatre, Manual Cinema, Neo-Futurists, Noah Ginex Puppet Company, Vein City and The Young Fugitives. Each guest company will choose an original story from Barrel of Monkeys'' in-school residencies and adapt it into a unique performance. Barrel of Monkeys company members will round out each performance with a rotating line-up of sketches from their long-running revue, THAT''S WEIRD, GRANDMA. Clever and funny - touching and poignant - the collection of short sketches is equally entertaining for adults and children. The line-up changes each week by audience vote and partner companies, so no two shows are ever the same.

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.

SCHEDULE OF GUEST COMPANIES:

Monday, October 27 - Lookingglass Theatre & Manual Cinema

Monday, November 3 - The Neo-Futurists

Monday, November 10 - Vein City

Monday, November 17 - Noax Ginex Puppet Company

Monday, November 24 - The Hypocrites

Monday, December 1 - The Young Fugitives

For tickets, reservations and information visit www.barrelofmonkeys.org or call (312) 409-1954. The press performance is Monday, October 27 at 8 pm, featuring guest companies Lookingglass Theatre and Manual Cinema.

Photo Credit: Maggie Fullilove-Nugent