Barrel of Monkeys Announces THAT'S WEIRD, ABUELITA, Opening Tonight, 7/25

Barrel of Monkeys' clever, witty and poignant sketches translate into any language. This summer, Barrel of Monkeys (BOM) transforms its classic "That's Weird, Grandma" in to "That's Weird, Abuelita" (TWA) featuring stories in Spanish, English and through movement, Wednesdays and Saturdays, tonight, July 25 through August 18 at the Logan Square Arts Center, 2800 N. Milwaukee Ave., second floor. TWA is appropriate for all ages and speakers of any language. BOM Artistic Director Molly Brennan and Emilio Williams are co-directors.

"We are excited to present 'That's Weird, Abuelita' in Logan Square this summer," said executive director Amanda Farrar. "The show will celebrate the diversity of the neighborhood and the diverse voices and ideas of the students with which we work here and all over Chicago. Not only does TWA fit perfectly in our mission it expands upon it."

Many of these sketches originate from BOM's long-standing work with, among others, the Avondale-Logandale School and Lorca Elementary, both in the Avondale neighborhood. Featured TWA stories include a Spanish soap opera with a mom who won't take her son to the park, the lucky mailman (set to Katrian and the Waves' song "Walking on Sunshine") and a silent pantomime about a grandpa who makes pinatas. BOM held the first successful run of TWA at the Little Village High School in 2011.

Barrel of Monkeys, a Chicago-based arts education theater ensemble, conducts creative writing workshops with students from underserved Chicago public schools and turns their stories and words into professionally-performed theater, presented both in-school and through a weekly review for the general public called "That's Weird, Grandma". BOM performs more than 300 student-written stories for the students in their schools and 150 stories on the stage of TWG each year.

Barrel of Monkeys (BOM) presents "That's Weird, Abuelita", tonight, July 25 through Aug. 18. Performances are Wednesdays at 3 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 and 7 p.m. Tickets for all
performances are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. TWA is appropriate for all ages and speaker of any language. Tickets are free for Barrel of Monkeys students. For tickets, reservations or information call 312-409-1954 or visit www.barrelofmonkeys.org.