Barrel of Monkeys to Welcome Back THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA Holiday Special

Barrel of Monkeys celebrates the season with THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: The Holiday Special Returns, a line-up of student-written stories inspired by the holidays, winter, elves, gift-giving and more, playing December 4, 2016 - January 2, 2017 (Sunday at 2 pm & Mondays at 8 pm) at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago.

Directed by Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach, THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: The Holiday Special Returns features stories conceived and written by Chicago Public School students and adapted for the stage and performed by Barrel of Monkeys Company Members.

For tickets, reservations and information visit www.barrelofmonkeys.org or call (773) 506-7140. The press performance is Monday, December 5 at 8 pm.

The cast of THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: The Holiday Special Returns includes ELisa Carlson, Brandon Cloyd, Linsey Falls, Nick Hart, Spencer Meeks and Deanna Myers.

Clever and funny - touching and poignant - the collection of short sketches featured in THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA is equally entertaining for adults and children. The line-up of the long running, critically acclaimed revue changes each week by audience vote, so no two shows are ever the same.

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.

IF YOU GO:

THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: The Holiday Special Returns

Written by: Chicago Public School Students

Adapted for the stage by: Barrel of Monkeys Company Members

Director: Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach

Featuring: Barrel of Monkeys Company Members

Location: Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago

Dates: December 4, 2016 - January 2, 2017

Press performance: Monday, December 5 at 8 pm

Curtain Times: Sunday at 2 pm and Mondays at 8 pm. Please note: there will not be performances on Sunday, December 25 and Sunday, January 1 (New Year's Day).

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

Joseph Schupbach has directed shows for Barrel of Monkeys, North Park University, Murakami Sound Machine and InGen Productions - a company of which he is co-founder and former Artistic Director. Joseph has assistant directed for The Ruffians and The Neo-Futurists and has performed all over Chicago. In November 2014, he was appointed Barrel of Monkeys' new Artistic Director, having served as the company's Education Coordinator since 2011.

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. For additional information, view Barrel of Monkeys' annual report here.

Pictured: Barrel of Monkeys Company Members perform in THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: The Holiday Special Returns. Photo by Evan Hanover.

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