If you’re looking for a way to add some life to your Monday nights, Barrel of Monkeys is currently providing a very entertaining option – and it’s for a worthwhile effort. Chicago’s Weird, Grandma is a wonderful production that takes the stories from third to fifth graders in the Chicago Public School system and transforms them into very funny plays acted out by their ensemble. The plays are performed verbatim of the received scripts, causing one hilarious – and warm – moment after another. Barrel of Monkeys, an arts education theatre ensemble, has been working with under-served students in the CPS since 1997 and has since teamed up with many performing arts companies such as The Neo-Futurists, Baliwick Chicago, The Hypocrites and more. Directed by Artistic Director Molly Brennan, Chicago’s Weird Grandma is now playing each Monday night at the Neo-Futurist Theater (5153 N. Ashland) through December 2nd.
Chicago’s Weird Grandma’s highly comedic cast makes this already great idea work to perfection. The audience is treated to a series of skits throughout the one-hour performance, a different actor announcing the student writer’s name and school before each sketch. The sketches can be inspired by anything from each child’s imagination resulting in such sketches such as LEARN Campbell Academy student Camron F’s “Old Tommy and Brownie the Lost Cat”, Henry Suder School student Chris J’s “The Ant That Bully” and Dewey School of Excellence students Sarronda L, Jaleesa W and Anaya G’s “Bubble Gum Party”.
No two shows can be alike since audience members vote by ballot afterwards to both retain two sketches and remove two sketches, making this a production to take in more than once.
The terrific Barrel of Monkeys program teaches fundamental writing skills while helping in building self-esteem and confidence to low-income third to fifth graders who are predominantly African-American and Latino. The organization especially reaches out where most needed to serve children who battle the challenges academic skills, emotional difficulties and tough living environments. Such a notable cause coupled with a very funny theatre experience make Chicago’s Weird, Grandma a show entirely worth seeing. I should also add that this is a show that can be thoroughly enjoyed by both children and adults.
Tickets are more than reasonable at just $12 for adults and $6 for children. For more information visit http://www.barrelofmonkeys.org/performances/chicagos-weird-grandma/.
*Above photo - The cast of Barrel of Monkeys’ revue CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA. Photo by Beth Bullock.
