Photo Flash: Barrel of Monkeys Presents THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Rise of the Rock Spectacular

Imagine an incredible rock concert, completely penned by young authors and composed by Chicago actors and musicians! Barrels of Monkeys is pleased to present its all-musical revue, THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Rise of the Rock Spectacular, playing March 5 - 27, 2017 (Sundays at 2 pm & Mondays at 8 pm) at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Directed by Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach, Barrel of Monkeys talented Company Members have transformed stories conceived and written by Chicago Public School students into a full hour of original songs, complete with a new opening band each week! For tickets, reservations and information visit www.barrelofmonkeys.org or call (773) 506-7140. The press performance is Monday, March 6 at 8 pm.

THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Rise of the Rock Spectacular features Nick Hart, Barry Irving, Jen Johnson, Mari Marroquin, Spencer Meeks, Geoff Rice, Jon Schneidman, Kelan Smith, Kate Staiger, Gwen Tulin and Rachel Wilson.

Clever and funny - touching and poignant - the collection of short songs featured in THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA is equally entertaining for adults and children. The line-up of the long running, critically acclaimed revue 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 20th 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: Rise of the Rock Spectacular

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 5 - 27, 2017

Press performance: Monday, March 6 at 8 pm

Curtain Times: Sunday 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 (773) 506-7140.

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 former 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, its teaching artists have served more than 60 Chicago Public Schools. Over 15,000 elementary school students have participated in the Barrel of Monkeys programs, which aim to build students' writing skills, improve self-esteem, and instill confidence in their ideas and abilities.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

Photo Credit: Evan Hanover

Kate Staiger, Gwen Tulin and Barry Irving
Jen Johnson, Rachel Wilson and Barry Irving
Mari Marroquin
Spencer Meeks
Jen Johnson, Rachel Wilson and Barry Irving
Nick Hart
Rachel Wilson and Kate Staiger