Molly Brennan News

Barrel of Monkeys invites you to enjoy a summer full of brand new stories at its long-running, critically acclaimed revue THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA, directed by Artistic Director Molly Brennan, playing Mondays at 8 pm from June 9 - September 1, 2014 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Throughout the summer months, THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA will premiere stories from the 2013-14 school year - all 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.

Barrel of Monkeys invites you to spring into THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA, the newest iteration of its long-running, critically acclaimed revue, directed by Molly Brennan, playing Mondays at 8 pm from April 7 - May 12, 2014 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the spring edition below!

Barrel of Monkeys, in collaboration with the The University of Chicago Department of Theatre and Performance Studies, invites you to join student-authors, their classmates, family and educators for the annual CELEBRATION OF AUTHORS, featuring performances of student-written stories created at all of its partner schools and after-school program during the 2013-2014 season. Performed by more than 30 Barrel of Monkeys actors and musicians and directed by Artistic Director Molly Brennan, this FREE event takes place Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 7:30 pm (6:30 pm reception) at the University of Chicago's Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E 60th St. in Chicago. Reservations can be made beginning Thursday, May 3, 2014 by calling (312) 409-1954.

Barrel of Monkeys invites you to spring into THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA, the newest iteration of its long-running, critically acclaimed revue, directed by Molly Brennan, playing Mondays at 8 pm from April 7 - May 12, 2014 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA 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 Monday, April 14, 2014 at 8 pm.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Gypsy' at CST and 'Into The Woods' from The Hypocrites begin, Paula Scrofano honored, Bernadette performs, another out-of-town tryout announced, a Barrel Of Monkeys revue, casting news from the Paramount and the Lyric, the Sarah Siddons Society show and more!

Barrel of Monkeys will present THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Behind the [Monkey] Music, an all-musical revue featuring a full evening of student stories adapted into songs by Barrel of Monkeys talented team of composers, co-directed by Artistic Director Molly Brennan, Company Member Erick Deshaun Dorris and Musical Director Gwen Tulin. This first-ever Behind the [Monkey] Music retrospective will include live interviews with composers who will discuss adaptation anecdotes and onstage antics that have become the signature delight of That's Weird, Grandma.

Barrel of Monkeys invites you to spring into THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA, the newest iteration of its long-running, critically acclaimed revue, directed by Molly Brennan, playing Mondays at 8 pm from April 7 - May 12, 2014 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago.

Barrel of Monkeys is pleased to present THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Behind the [Monkey] Music, an all-musical revue featuring a full evening of student stories adapted into songs by Barrel of Monkeys talented team of composers, co-directed by Artistic Director Molly Brennan, Company Member Erick Deshaun Dorris and Musical Director Gwen Tulin. This first-ever Behind the [Monkey] Music retrospective will include live interviews with composers, adaptation anecdotes and onstage antics that have become the signature delight of That's Weird, Grandma. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in action!

Barrel of Monkeys will present THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Behind the [Monkey] Music, an all-musical revue featuring a full evening of student stories adapted into songs by Barrel of Monkeys talented team of composers, co-directed by Artistic Director Molly Brennan, Company Member Erick Deshaun Dorris and Musical Director Gwen Tulin. This first-ever Behind the [Monkey] Music retrospective will include live interviews with composers, adaptation anecdotes and onstage antics that have become the signature delight of That's Weird, Grandma.

Barrel of Monkeys invites you to join them by the imaginary hearth and celebrate the warmth of the holiday season with THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: THE HOLIDAY SPECIAL, featuring a festive array of holiday-themed favorites like Santa and Taco Bell, The Crazy Reindeer, Snowmen From Pluto, Santa's Mean Day and many more - all conceived and written by Chicago Public School students and adapted for the stage and performed by Barrel of Monkeys Company Members.

The Second City Guide to the Opera, the groundbreaking collaboration by Lyric Opera of Chicago and The Second City, won Jeff Awards for Best Production: Revue and Best Director: Revue during the 45th annual Jeff Equity Awards gala yesterday. The ceremony took place at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. "This is the first time Lyric Opera of Chicago has been nominated, and to win this prestigious award is truly thrilling," said Anthony Freud, Lyric's general director.

Barrel of Monkeys invites you to join them by the imaginary hearth and celebrate the warmth of the holiday season with THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: THE HOLIDAY SPECIAL, featuring a festive array of holiday-themed favorites like Santa and Taco Bell, The Crazy Reindeer, Snowmen From Pluto, Santa's Mean Day and many more - all conceived and written by Chicago Public School students and adapted for the stage and performed by Barrel of Monkeys Company Members. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the show!

The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) announced casting today for two theatrical productions in November: White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, the Iranian absurdist play about isolation co-presented with the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), running today, Nov. 3-9, 2013, and Birds Do It, Bees Do It..., the annual cabaret performance Nov. 5, 2013, created by Rob Lindley and Doug Peck.

Just when you thought Monday nights couldn't get any better, Barrel of Monkeys is partnering with some of Chicago's best performing arts companies and artists for the second iteration of CHICAGO'S WEIRD, GRANDMA, directed by Artistic Director Molly Brennan, playing Mondays at 8 pm from October 28 - December 2, 2013 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Each guest artist or company will bring their unique talents to transform stories written by Chicago Public School students into entertaining sketches incorporating puppetry, sketch comedy, clowning, music, dance and other disciplines. The press performance is Monday, October 28 at 8 pm.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Three touring shows are playing this week, with 'Wicked' beginning next week, plus a lot at Northwestern, two spelling bees, more Halloween shows, appearances by Joan Crawford and Elaine Stritch, and more!

The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) announced casting today for two theatrical productions in November: White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, the Iranian absurdist play about isolation co-presented with the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), running Nov. 3-9, 2013, and Birds Do It, Bees Do It..., the annual cabaret performance Nov. 5, 2013, created by Rob Lindley and Doug Peck.

Barrel of Monkeys invites you to join them by the imaginary hearth and celebrate the warmth of the holiday season with THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: THE HOLIDAY SPECIAL, featuring a festive array of holiday-themed favorites like Santa and Taco Bell, The Crazy Reindeer, Snowmen From Pluto, Santa's Mean Day and many more - all conceived and written by Chicago Public School students and adapted for the stage and performed by Barrel of Monkeys Company Members.

Red Tape Theatre (RTT) has announcde the successful conclusion of the Kickstarter campaign dedicated to raising funds to help produce the World Premiere of The Life and Death of Madam Barker. Through generous donations from the community, they surpassed our initial goal of $2000, raising a total of $2270.

Barrel of Monkeys is pleased to kick-off its 16th season with the 12th year of its long-running, critically acclaimed revue THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA, conceived and written by Chicago Public School students, adapted for the stage and performed by Barrel of Monkeys Company Members and directed by Artistic Director Molly Brennan. Clever and funny - touching and poignant - the weekly collection of short sketches are equally entertaining for both adults and children. The line-up changes each week by audience vote - so no two shows are ever the same.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Tonight's Fall Theater Preview Party, the three big local premieres, upcoming: 'Spamalot' and two new works, 'Death Boogie' and 'The Old Man And The Old Moon,' plus a 'Schoolhouse Rock Live' milestone, the Dramatists Guild conference and more!