Barrel of Monkeys to Host FANCY SCHMANCY: THE TRIP TO VEGAS Benefit, 4/2

Barrel of Monkeys is pleased to present its annual fundraising soiree, Fancy Schmancy: The Trip to Vegas on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at The Drucker Center, 1535 N. Dayton Ave. in Chicago. This year's theme, "The Trip to Vegas," is inspired by a student-written story of the same name that will be performed at the event. Embracing the playful theme, the fancy schmancy affair will include adult beverages, delectable hors d'oeuvres, games of chance, a DJ, dancing, a photo booth and much more. The fundraiser will also feature a live and silent auction, and a raffle for tickets to Saturday Night Live. Tickets go on sale Friday, January 15, 2016 at www.barrelofmonkeys.org/fancy.

Fancy Schmancy: The Trip to Vegas supports Barrel of Monkeys' creative writing residencies and performances in Chicago Public Elementary Schools, and their after school program at Loyola Park.

Barrel of Monkeys, a Chicago-based arts education theater ensemble now in its 19th 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 theatre, 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.