Photo Flash: Barrel of Monkeys' presents THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Stories for Change

Barrel of Monkeys is pleased to present THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Stories for Change, an evening of stories showcasing the fascinating, poignant and often hilarious ideas students have for the change they'd like to see in their lives and their communities. The stories are created during Barrel of Monkeys' creative writing residencies in Chicago elementary schools, where one day is dedicated to learning how to write for change. The student-written stories are then adapted for the stage and performed by Barrel of Monkeys Company members.

Directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd, THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Stories for Change will play Mondays at 8 pm from January 22 - February 19, 2018 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org or by calling (773) 506-7140. The press opening is Monday, January 29 at 8 pm.

THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Stories for Change features Barrel of Monkeys company members Bryan Bosque, Elisa Carlson, Nancy Casas, Andrés Enriquez, Tom Malinowski, Meredith Milliron, Kayla Pulley, Rawson Vint, Stephen Wilkes and Rachel Wilson.

Clever and funny - touching and poignant - the collection of short sketches and songs 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 21st season, conducts creative writing workshops with 2nd through 7th grade students in underserved Chicago Public Schools and in its own after-school program. The ensemble of actor-educators then turns their stories and poems into professionally performed theater, presented both in-school and for the general public through its revues. Barrel of Monkeys annually performs more than 300 stories for the students in their schools and 175 stories on the stage for the general public.

Special Performances:

Monday, January 29 - Neighborhood Night: a special discount for patrons living in the 60640/60660 area codes (Andersonville, Edgewater, Uptown, Ravenswood and Sheridan Park). $10 tickets available with code "NEIGHBOR2018."

Monday, February 5 - Theater, Storytelling and Social Change Panel: Barrel of Monkeys Program Director Shá Norman facilitates a free post-show panel discussion with leaders of several socially-engaged arts organizations exploring how theater and storytelling can create social change. Panel begins immediately following the 8 pm performance of That's Weird, Grandma.

Monday, February 12 - Theatre Week performance: Enjoy the show for $10 during this annual city-wide celebration of Chicago's world-class theatre scene. Tickets are available at ChicagoTheatreWeek.com.

Photos by Evan Hanover.

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