Laura McKenzie News

PlayMakers Laboratory, formerly Barrel of Monkeys, continues 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. Tickets are currently available at www.playmakerslab.org or by calling (773) 506-7140. The press opening is Sunday, January 26, 2020 at 3 pm.

The 88th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, the largest Christmas event in America, announces its Humanitarian of the Year award recipient, Bret Michaels. Bret Michaels is a multi-platinum global music superstar whose multi-faceted brand encompasses record-breaking touring sales, TV stardom and chart-topping songs. A successful entrepreneur in addition to his musical achievements, he created the multi-million dollar selling Pets Rock Collection with PetSmart, launched his own line of custom guitars and created “Bret's Blend, Diet Trop-A-Rocka” which is a number-one-selling beverage for Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group.

The 88th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, the largest Christmas event in America, announces its Grand Marshal and the 2019 talent lineup for its landmark anniversary celebration, which will take place on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California, on Sunday, December 1, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. PT. 

The 88th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, the largest Christmas event in America, announces its Grand Marshal and the 2019 talent lineup for its landmark anniversary celebration, which will take place on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California, on Sunday, December 1, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. PT.  The host of Access Hollywood, Mario Lopez, and the Lopez family, are this year's Grand Marshals. They will join an eclectic array of musical performances featured during the parade and national telecast, including Jesse & Joy, Dionne Warwick, Brandon Jenner, Sheléa, The Band Of Merrymakers, Rock of Ages, Shawn Wayans presents The Boo Crew, Phil Vassar, David Archuleta, Ace Young & Diana DeGarmo, James Maslow, Ashen Moon with Mikalah Gordon and Brandon Rogers. The parade will also feature a special tribute for Toys for Tots and a magic performance by Mai Wynn and Farrell Dillon of The CW hit series, “Masters of Illusion.”

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. Tickets go on sale Thursday, December 6 at www.playmakerslab.org or by calling (773) 506-7140. 

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

Barrel of Monkeys is bringing its much-lauded sketch show THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA to audiences across the city this summer for a series of free performances through the Chicago Park District's Night Out In The Parks initiative. The stories featured in THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA are written by Chicago elementary school students, adapted for the stage and performed by Barrel of Monkeys company members and directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd. No reservations necessary. For additional information, visit www.barrelofmonkeys.org.

MASTERS OF ILLUSION, produced by Associated Television International and hosted by Dean Cain, will return for a sixth season on The CW Network with back to back episodes on Friday, June 7, 2019 (8:00-8:30 p.m. and 8:30-9:00 p.m. ET).

Barrel of Monkeys presents the annual all musical edition of its much-lauded sketch show: THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Stories That Sing and Dance, directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd, playing Fridays and Saturday at 7:30 pm from May 3 - 25, 2019 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago.

 Pop culture icons take center stage in the newest revue of Barrel of Monkeys' much lauded sketch show: THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Star-Studded Stories, directed by Company Member Mary Tilden, playing Sundays at 3 pm fromJanuary 20 - February 17, 2019 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available atwww.barrelofmonkeys.org or by calling (773) 506-7140. The press opening is Sunday, January 27 at 3 pm.

The 87th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade Featuring Marine Toys for Tots, led by Grand Marshal Nancy O'Dell of Entertainment Tonight, and produced by Associated Television International, will be telecast as a two-hour primetime special on The CW Network on Friday, December 14, 2018 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, 7:00 p.m. CT. 

Holiday supergroup Band of Merrymakers will perform in the 87th annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, the largest Christmas event in America, on Sunday, November 25th, 2018 at 5 p.m PT. This is the fourth straight parade appearance for the beloved band, who made their parade debut in 2016. For information on how to purchase Grandstand Seats to the parade, please visit

The 87th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, the largest Christmas event in America, announces the 2018 talent lineup for its landmark anniversary celebration, which will take place on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California, on Sunday, November 25, 2018, at 5:00 p.m. PT.  This year, the Hollywood Christmas Parade features a reunion with some of American Idol's top performers.  With Nancy O'Dell as Grand Marshal, musical performances will be featured during the parade and national telecast, and will include the following artists:  Ashanti, Clare Dunn, The Band Of Merrymakers, The Tearaways, David Archuleta, Ruben Studdard, Elliott Yamin, Blake Lewis, Kimberly Caldwell, Mikalah Gordon, Julia Ara and more to be announced soon.  For the telecast only, additional appearances will include performances by Donny and Marie Osmond, The Beach Boys performing Mike Love's new single “(You'll Never Be) Alone on Christmas Day,” Jane Lynch, Kate Flannery and Tim Davis.  The parade will also feature a special tribute for Toys for Tots from Ludacris and a magic performance by stars of The CW hit series, “Masters of Illusion.”

The CW Network today announced its slate of upcoming holiday specials, including the new specials GREATEST HOLIDAY COMMERCIALS COUNTDOWN 2018, GREATEST HOLIDAY VIDEO COUNTDOWN, both airing Tuesday, December 18 and POPSTAR'S BEST OF 2018 airing Friday, December 28 (9:00-10:00pm ET).

The 87th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, the largest Christmas celebration in America, announces that Entertainment Tonight's Nancy O'Dell has been named the Grand Marshal for this year's landmark anniversary event.  Presented and produced by Associated Television International, the live parade which happens in association with The City of Los Angeles, is taped for network television, and will take place on Hollywood Boulevard on Sunday, November 25, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.  The parade's telecast will be hosted by Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain and Montel Williams, with special co-hosts Elizabeth Stanton and Garrett Clayton.  The event will include live musical performances (to be announced) that will take place on two stages; featuring The Marine Toys For Tots.

MASTERS OF ILLUSION, produced by Associated Television International and hosted by Dean Cain, now celebrating its fifth anniversary on The CW returns for Week Twelve with two 30-minute episodes airing back to back on Friday, September 14, 2018 at 8:00 p.m./7:00 p.m. Central.