Photo Flash: First Look at Barrel of Monkeys' THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA

It''s finally time to say "ta-ta" to Old Man Winter as Barrel of Monkeys presents THAT''S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Spring Into Action! directed by Meredith Ibey Milliron, playing Sundays at 2 pm from April 5 - 26, 2015 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Barrel of Monkeys'' critically acclaimed revue is 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. For tickets, reservations and information visit www.barrelofmonkeys.org or call (312) 409-1954. The press performance is Sunday, April 12 at 2 pm.

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.

Photos by Evan Hanover