Photo Flash: Barrel of Monkeys' THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA Tours Chicago Neighborhoods This Summer

Barrel of Monkeys is bringing its hit revue THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA to audiences across the city this summer - including select FREE performances. In addition its long-running, weekly production at the Neo-Futurist Theater, the Monkeys are partnering with the Chicago Park District's "Night Out In The Parks" initiative and the Chicago Fringe Festival in Jefferson Park for performances all summer long!

The stories featured in THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA are 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 and songs is equally entertaining for adults and children.

Chicago Park District's "Night Out in The Parks" Performances:

Friday, August 11 at 7 pm

Palmer Park, 201 E. 111th St., Chicago

Tuesday, August 15 at 7:30 pm

Churchill Field, 1825 N. Damen Ave., Chicago

Tickets: Free. No reservations necessary.

This progam is presented as part of the Chicago Park District's Night Out in the Parks series and is supported by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Arts programming in neighborhoods across the city advances the goals of the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Cultural Plan. Now in its fifth year, the 2017 Night Out in the Parks series will host over 1,200 cultural events and programs at more than 250 neighborhood parks throughout the city, making community parks a safe haven and hubs of activity. Projects will vary from traditional performances and concerts, to movies, peace rallies, community workshops, nature based programs, dance pieces, festivals, and more. The Chicago Park District has partnered with more than 120 arts and community organizations to expand and produce this successful initiative.

Chicago Fringe Festival "Kids Fringe" Performances:

Saturday, September 2 at 2:30 pm, Saturday, September 9 at 1 pm and Sunday, September 10 at 2:30 pm

Jefferson Playhouse, 4766 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago

Tickets: $10 adults, $5 children under $12. Tickets are available at www.chicagofringe.org.

The Neo-Futurist Theater Performances:

Barrel of Monkeys current revue, THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Attack of the Phantom of the BBQ directed by Linsey Falls, plays Mondays at 8 pm through August 28, 2017 at the Monkeys' home base, the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. The line-up changes each week by audience vote, so no two shows are ever the same.

Tickets: $12 for adults; $6 for children under 12. Tickets are available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org or by calling (773) 506-7140.

About Barrel of Monkeys

Barrel of Monkeys, a Chicago-based arts education theater ensemble now in its 20th season, conducts creative writing workshops with 3rd through 5th grade students in underserved Chicago Public Schools. The ensemble of actor-educators then turns their stories and words into professionally performed theater, presented both in-school and for the general public through its revues. Barrel of Monkeys annually performs more than 300 student-written stories for the students in their schools and 175 stories on the stage for the general public.

Since Barrel of Monkeys' inception in 1997, its teaching artists have served more than 60 Chicago Public Schools. Over 15,000 elementary school students have participated in the Barrel of Monkeys programs, which aim to build students' writing skills, improve self-esteem, and instill confidence in their ideas and abilities.

Barrel of Monkeys is sponsored in part by Wintrust Financial, Allscripts, Inc., IMC Chicago, Ernst and Young, and Punchkick Interactive. It receives generous support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency; the National Endowment for the Arts; a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; the Chicago Community Trust; Crown Family Philanthropies; Alphawood Foundation of Chicago; the Maurice R. and Meta G. Gross Foundation; Polk Bros Foundation; the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation; the Robert and Isabelle Bass Foundation, Inc.; The Saints; The Topfer Family Foundation, and many other generous individuals and foundations.

Photo credit: Beth Bullock