Barrel of Monkeys to Celebrate Summer With THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA, 6/9-9/1

Barrel of Monkeys invites you to enjoy a summer full of brand new stories at its long-running, critically acclaimed revue THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA, directed by Artistic Director Molly Brennan, playing Mondays at 8 pm from June 9 - September 1, 2014 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Throughout the summer months, THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA will premiere stories from the 2013-14 school year - 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.

Barrel of Monkeys, a Chicago-based arts education theater ensemble now in its 17th 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.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12. Tickets are available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org or by calling (312) 409-1954.

Barrel of Monkeys' current revue, Spring Into THAT'S WEIRD GRANDMA continues through May 12, 2014 at the Neo-Futurist Theater. Barrel of Monkeys also presents its annual CELEBRATION OF AUTHORS on Tuesday, June 3 at 7:30 pm - featuring performances of student-written stories created at all of its partner schools and after-school program during the 2013-2014 season. The FREE event takes place at the University of Chicago's Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E 60th Street in Chicago. Reservations can be made beginning Thursday, May 3, 2014 by calling (312) 409-1954.

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.

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.