Barrel of Monkeys to Spring Into THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA, 4/7-5/12

Barrel of Monkeys invites you to spring into THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA, the newest iteration of its long-running, critically acclaimed revue, directed by Molly Brennan, playing Mondays at 8 pm from April 7 - May 12, 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 Monday, April 14, 2014 at 8 pm.

Barrel of Monkeys, a Chicago-based arts education theater ensemble now in its 16th 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.

Barrel of Monkeys' THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Winter Matinees (Sundays at 2 pm) plays January 26 - February 23, 2014. The Monkeys' all-musical revue THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Behind the [Monkey] Music plays March 2 - 31, 2014 (Sundays at 2 pm and Mondays at 8 pm).

THe Neo-Futurist Theater is located at 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. The show runs April 7 - May 12, 2014 with press performance set for Monday, April 14, 2014 at 8 pm. Curtain Times: Mondays at 8 pm. Tickets: $12 for adults; $6 for children under 12. Tickets are available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org or by calling (312) 409-1954.

About the Director: Molly Brennan, a Barrel of Monkeys company member since 1999, has held a variety of positions in the company, including actor, teacher, lead teacher, director and artistic associate. She was named Artistic Director in 2011. Brennan is also a Company Member of 500 Clown, and has performed in Chicago and toured all over the country. Her recent acting credits include: The Life and Death of Madam Barker at Red Tape Theatre, Second City's Guide to the Opera at Lyric, Lookingglass Theatre's Peter Pan, A Play and Lookingglass Alice; and Harpo Marx in Goodman Theatre's Animal Crackers. She has also performed with About Face Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, The House Theatre of Chicago, Lifeline Theatre and Factory Theater.

About Barrel of Monkeys: Since Barrel of Monkeys' inception in 1997 it has worked in 57 Chicago Public Schools. More than 7,000 lower-income elementary school students have participated in the Barrel of Monkeys programs that provide a rare opportunity for creative expression and build literacy skills, self-esteem and confidence in student ideas and abilities.

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