Spencer Meeks News

Due to popular demand, Firebrand Theatre is pleased to announce a third and final extension of its hit revival of ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE, now playing through Saturday, February 23 at The Den Theatre's Janet Bookspan Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.

Due to popular demand, Firebrand Theatre has announced a second extension of its hit revival of ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE, now playing through Saturday, January 25, 2020 at The Den Theatre's Janet Bookspan Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.

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.

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. 

Strawdog Theatre Company is pleased to continue its 31st season with THE REVOLUTIONISTS, Lauren M. Gunderson's brutal comedic quartet about four very real women who lived boldly during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror, directed by Denise Yvette Serna.

Strawdog Theatre Company is pleased to continue its 31st season with THE REVOLUTIONISTS, Lauren M. Gunderson's brutal comedic quartet about four very real women who lived boldly during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror, directed by Denise Yvette Serna.

Strawdog Theatre Company is pleased to announce casting for its production of THE REVOLUTIONISTS, Lauren M. Gunderson's brutal comedic quartet about four very real women who lived boldly during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror, directed by Denise Yvette Serna. 

Strawdog Theatre Company is pleased to continue its 31st season with THE REVOLUTIONISTS, Lauren M. Gunderson's brutal comedic quartet about four very real women who lived boldly during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror, directed by Denise Yvette Serna.

The About Face Theatre Youth Theatre Ensemble is pleased to present the world premiere of SCARY STORIES TO SAVE YOUR LIFE, horror-inspired tales informed by the social and political anxieties facing today's LGBTQ+ youth, devised and performed by members of the About Face Youth Theatre Ensemble and directed by Associate Director of About Face Youth Theatre Donny Acosta and special guests.

Barrel of Monkeys presents THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Stories About Food, featuring a side-splitting lineup of food-related sketches adapted from stories written by Chicago elementary school students. Barrel of Monkeys' professional actors and musicians explore students' favorite dishes and culinary traditions - whether on Earth, in space or from a magical land. Former Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach returns to guest direct this delicious revue, which plays Mondays at 8 pm from July 23 - August 27, 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.

The About Face Theatre Youth Theatre Ensemble is pleased to present the world premiere of SCARY STORIES TO SAVE YOUR LIFE, horror-inspired tales informed by the social and political anxieties facing today's LGBTQ+ youth, devised and performed by members of the About Face Youth Theatre Ensemble and directed by Associate Director of About Face Youth Theatre Donny Acosta and special guests

Barrel of Monkeys invites you to join student-authors, their classmates, families and educators for the annual CELEBRATION OF AUTHORS, featuring performances of student-written stories created at each of its partner schools and after-school program during the 2017-18 season. Performed by Barrel of Monkeys' ensemble of actors and musicians and directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd, this FREE event takes place Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 6:30 pm (6:30 pm pre-show reception and activities, 7 pm curtain) at the University of Chicago's Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. in Chicago. For reservations, please visit barrelofmonkeys.org/coa or call (773) 506-7140. Tickets are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

Barrel of Monkeys presents THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Stories About Food, featuring a side-splitting lineup of food-related sketches adapted from stories written by Chicago elementary school students. Barrel of Monkeys' professional actors and musicians explore students' favorite dishes and culinary traditions - whether on Earth, in space or from a magical land. Directed by Joseph Schupbach, THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Stories About Food will play Mondays at 8 pm from July 23 - August 27, 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. The press opening is Monday, July 30 at 8 pm.

Barrel of Monkeys invites you to join student-authors, their classmates, families and educators for the annual CELEBRATION OF AUTHORS, featuring performances of student-written stories created at each of its partner schools and after-school program during the 2017-18 season. Performed by Barrel of Monkeys ensemble of actors and musicians and directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd, this FREE event takes place Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 6:30 pm (6:30 pm pre-show reception and activities, 7 pm curtain) at the University of Chicago's Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. in Chicago. For reservations, please visit barrelofmonkeys.org/coa or call (773) 506-7140. 

Haven Theatre's hit rock concert event WE'RE GONNA DIE returns for four performances only March 26 - April 16, 2018 at Steppenwolf's 1700 Theatre, 1700 N. Halsted St. in Chicago. Tickets, priced at $18, are available at www.steppenwolf.org or by calling (312) 335-1650.

Barrel of Monkeys celebrates the season with THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Holiday Stories, a festive line-up of stories written by kids and inspired by the holidays, winter, elves, gift-giving and much more! THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Holiday Stories will play Mondays at 8 pm plus a special weekend of added holiday performances from December 4 December 23, 2017 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd, THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA features stories conceived and written by Chicago elementary school students and adapted for the stage and performed by Barrel of Monkeys Company Members. Tickets are available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org or by calling (773) 506-7140.

Barrel of Monkeys is bringing back its popular Sunday matinees this fall with THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Stories on Sunday Afternoons, playing Sundays at 2 pm from October 15 - November 12, 2017 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. The press opening is Sunday, October 22nd. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in action below!

The Neo-Futurists present Ensemble Member Dan Kerr-Hobert's The Food Show, partnering with Metropolitan Brewing's new Avondale, location venue: 3031 N. Rockwell, July 27 - September 2. Previews are Thursday, July 27 - Saturday, July 29 at 7:30 p.m., with opening night Monday, July 31 at 7:30 p.m. Performances run Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices for previews and Thursdays are pay what you can; for the regular run, tickets are $10-25. Tickets and information are available at neofuturists.org or 773.275.5255.

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 invites you to enjoy a line-up of brand new stories this summer at THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Attack of the Phantom of the BBQ directed by Mary Tilden, playing Mondays at 8 pm now through July 17 and August 7 - 28, 2017 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Throughout the summer, Barrel of Monkeys will premiere new stories from the 2016-17 school year written by Chicago Public School students and adapted for the stage and performed by Barrel of Monkeys Company Members. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast of 'BBQ' in action below!