Barrel of Monkeys to Present THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: THE MUSICAL This March

Barrel of Monkeys is pleased to present THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: THE MUSICAL, an all-musical revue featuring stories conceived and written by Chicago Public School students, adapted into songs by Barrel of Monkeys talented team of composers and directed by Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach. THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: THE MUSICAL also marks the return the company's popular Sunday matinees with performances March 1 - 30, 2015 (Sundays at 2 pm and Mondays at 8 pm) at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org or by calling (312) 409-1954. The press performance is Monday, March 2 at 8 pm.

Clever and funny -- touching and poignant -- the collection of short musicals numbers performed by Barrel of Monkeys company members are equally entertaining for adults and children alike. 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 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.

DETAILS:

THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: THE MUSICAL

Written by Chicago Public School Students

Adapted for the stage by Barrel of Monkeys Company Members

Director: Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach

Featuring: Barrel of Monkeys Company Members

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

Dates: March 1 - 30, 2015

Press performance: Monday, March 2 at 8 pm

Curtain Times: Sundays at 2 pm and 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' THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Hot Cocoa Time continues Mondays at 8 pm through February 9, 2015.

About the Director - Joseph Schupbach has directed shows for Barrel of Monkeys, North Park University, Murakami Sound Machine and InGen Productions - a company of which he is co-founder and Artistic Director. Joseph has assistant directed for The Ruffians and The Neo-Futurists and has performed all over Chicago. In November 2014, he was appointed Barrel of Monkeys' new Artistic Director, having served as the company's Education Coordinator since 2011.

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.

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