Tom Malinowski

PlayMakers Laboratory Will Celebrate THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA'S 25TH BIRTHDAY
by Stephi Wild - Jun 1, 2026

PlayMakers Laboratory will present THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA's 25th Birthday at Chicago's Neo-Futurist Theater, featuring current company members alongside emeritus cast in the long-running sketch comedy show written by kids.

HAMILTON & Swing Left to Host Voter Contact Events to 'Get Out the Vote' for the 2022 Midterm Elections
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 26, 2022

 Swing Left and Hamilton are partnering to host a series of events to help get out the vote—including canvassing, bus launches, and afterparties for volunteers—in cities across the country.

Photo Flash: PlayMakers Laboratory Presents THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Travels Through Time
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 28, 2020

PlayMakers Laboratory, formerly Barrel of Monkeys, is pleased to continue its 2019-20 season with THAT'S WEIRD GRANDMA: Travels Through Time, directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd, playing Sundays at 3 pm from January 19 – February 16, 2020 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago.

Photo Flash: First Look at THAT'S WEIRD GRANDMA: Goes Trick or Treating at the Neo-Futurist Theater
by Stephi Wild - Oct 18, 2019

PlayMakers Laboratory, formerly Barrel of Monkeys, is pleased to launch its 2019-20 season with a spooky twist: THAT'S WEIRD GRANDMA: Goes Trick or Treating, directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd, playing Sundays at 3 pm from October 6 – November 3, 2019 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.playmakerslab.org or by calling (773) 506-7140. The press opening is Sunday, October 13 at 3 pm.

PlayMaker's Laboratory's THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Goes Trick or Treating
by Julie Musbach - Oct 17, 2019

PlayMakers Laboratory, formerly Barrel of Monkeys, is pleased to launch its 2019-20 season with a spooky twist: THAT'S WEIRD GRANDMA: Goes Trick or Treating, directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd, playing Sundays at 3 pm from October 6 a?" November 3, 2019 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago.

Photo Flash: Inside Barrel Of Monkeys' THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Fantastic Beasts And The Stories About Them
by Julie Musbach - Jul 1, 2019

Barrel of Monkeys concludes its 2018-19 season with THAT'S WEIRD GRANDMA: Fantastic Beasts and the Stories About Them

Photo Flash: Barrel Of Monkeys' THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA Gets Into the Halloween Spirit
by Julie Musbach - Oct 10, 2018

Just in time for Halloween, Barrel of Monkeys is pleased to present the newest revue of its much lauded sketch show: THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Ghosts, Ghouls and Talking Potatoes, directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd

Barrel Of Monkeys THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA Presents Ghosts, Ghouls And Talking Potatoes
by Julie Musbach - Sep 6, 2018

Just in time for Halloween, Barrel of Monkeys is pleased to present the newest revue of its much lauded sketch show: THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Ghosts, Ghouls and Talking Potatoes, directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd. The Halloween edition plays Sundays at 3 pm from October 7 - November 4, 2018 at the Neo-Futurist Theater

Photo Flash: Barrel of Monkeys' THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Brand New Stories
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 2, 2018

 Barrel of Monkeys proudly presents THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Brand New Stories, a line-up of all new stories written by Chicago elementary school students during the 2017-18 school year. Be among the first to experience the newest songs, sketches and dance pieces adapted from stories written by students in Barrel of Monkeys' creative writing workshops. Directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd, THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Brand New Stories will play Mondays at 8 pm from June 18 - July 16, 2018 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org or by calling (773) 506-7140. 

Photo Flash: Barrel of Monkeys' presents THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Stories That Groove
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 12, 2018

Barrel of Monkeys is pleased to present THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Stories That Groove, the company's annual all-musical revue, directed by Eunice Woods, with music direction by Jon Schneidman, playing Mondays at 8 pm from March 12 - April 9, 2018 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org or by calling (773) 506-7140. 

Photo Flash: Barrel of Monkeys' presents THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Stories for Change
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 29, 2018

Barrel of Monkeys is pleased to present THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Stories for Change, an evening of stories showcasing the fascinating, poignant and often hilarious ideas students have for the change they'd like to see in their lives and their communities. The stories are created during Barrel of Monkeys' creative writing residencies in Chicago elementary schools, where one day is dedicated to learning how to write for change. The student-written stories are then adapted for the stage and performed by Barrel of Monkeys Company members. 

Photo Flash: Barrel of Monkeys presents KIDS WRITE IT: 20 YEARS OF INTERGENERATIONAL STORYTELLING
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 30, 2017

Barrel of Monkeys celebrates its 20th anniversary of arts education in Chicago Public Schools with a special one-night-only event: KIDS WRITE IT: 20 YEARS OF INTERGENERATIONAL STORYTELLING, featuring student-written stories from each of its 20 years, performed by the company's talented team of actor-educators, directed by Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach and co-directed by Co-Founder/Former Artistic Director Halena Kays. KIDS WRITE IT will be held on Thursday, July 27 at 7:30 pm at The Athenaeum Theatre Main Stage, 2936 N. Southport Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.athenaeumtheatre.org, by calling (773) 935-6875 or in person at The Athenaeum Theatre Box Office.  

Barrel of Monkeys' THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA to Celebrate 15 Years of Performances
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 24, 2016

Company members old and new will reunite as Barrel of Monkeys celebrates 15 years of its hit revue THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA with two special anniversary performances on Sunday April 17 at 2 pm and Monday, April 18 at 8 pm at its long-time home, the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org or by calling (773) 506-7140.

Barrel of Monkeys' THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: 15TH ANNIVERSARY SHOWS Set for 4/17-18
by Tyler Peterson - Feb 2, 2016

Company members old and new will reunite as Barrel of Monkeys celebrates 15 years of its hit revue THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA with two special anniversary performances on Sunday April 17 at 2 pm and Monday, April 18 at 8 pm at its long-time home, the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org.