Rachel Wilson News

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. For reservations, please call (312) 409-1954.

Barrel of Monkeys is pleased to bring back the popular Winter Matinees of its long-running, critically acclaimed revue THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA, directed by Jason Sperling, playing Sundays at 2 pm from January 26 - February 23, 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 both 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, February 2, 2014 at 2 pm.

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.

Catherine Bell and Chris Potter will reunite for Hallmark Channel's 'The Good WItch.' The seventh installment, premiering in October 2014, is titled 'The Good Witch's Wonder'

It may be snowing outside, but inside things are just perfect thanks to Hallmark Channel, which is bringing the North Pole to your living room with 12 new original movies this holiday season. There's a little bit of something for everybody. Magical trees? Check. Flying reindeer? Check. Globetrotting elves? Check. Christmas ghosts? Check. Hallmark Channel's got the 12 Days of Christmas covered... and then some!

Think the past nine years were bad? Get ready for this. The ten-year anniversary of the festival brings even more vapid dialogue, poorly developed characters and contrived plot lines as it explodes from six weeks to ten weeks of performances.

The Dayton Theatre Guild presents Independence by Lee Blessing, the fifth show of the 2009 - 2010 season. Performances begin Friday, April 9 and run through Sunday, April 25, 2009. It is directed by Fran Pesch and produced by Deirdre Root.

The Dayton Theatre Guild presents Independence by Lee Blessing, the fifth show of the 2009 - 2010 season. Performances begin Friday, April 9 and run through Sunday, April 25, 2009. It is directed by Fran Pesch and produced by Deirdre Root.

The Dayton Theatre Guild presents Independence by Lee Blessing, the fifth show of the 2009 - 2010 season. Performances begin Friday, April 9 and run through Sunday, April 25, 2009. It is directed by Fran Pesch and produced by Deirdre Root.

Beavercreek Community Theatre's next production is a comedy but it's a comedy with a lot of heart and compassion.

Beavercreek Community Theatre's next production is a comedy but it's a comedy with a lot of heart and compassion.

Beavercreek Community Theatre's next production is a comedy but it's a comedy with a lot of heart and compassion.

Beavercreek Community Theatre's next production is a comedy but it's a comedy with a lot of heart and compassion.

he John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation today named 25 new MacArthur Fellows for 2008. This past week, the recipients learned in a single phone call from the Foundation that they will each receive $500,000 in 'no strings attached' support over the next five years. The new Fellows work across a broad spectrum of endeavors and include a neurobiologist, a saxophonist, a critical care physician, an urban farmer, an optical physicist, a sculptor, a geriatrician, a historian of medicine, and an inventor of musical instruments. All were selected for their creativity, originality, and potential to make important contributions in the future.