Barrel of Monkeys Present THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Spring Into Action!

It’s finally time to say “ta-ta” to Old Man Winter as Barrel of Monkeys presents THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Spring Into Action! directed by Meredith Ibey Milliron, playing Sundays at 2 pm from April 5 – 26, 2015 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Barrel of Monkeys’ critically acclaimed revue 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 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.

Barrel of Monkeys, a Chicago-based arts education theater ensemble now in its 18th 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.

PRODUCTION DETAILS:

Title: THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Spring Into Action!

Written by: Chicago Public School Students

Adapted for the stage by: Barrel of Monkeys Company Members

Directed by: Meredith Ibey Milliron

Featuring: Barrel of Monkeys Company Members

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

Dates: April 5 – 26, 2015

Curtain Times: Sundays at 2 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

Meredith Ibey Milliron has performed with Barrel of Monkeys since 2006. She has written, performed and directed Improvisation and sketch comedy in Chicago for almost 15 years. She is a graduate of Grinnell College, The University of Chicago and the Second City conservatory. Meredith assistant directed the recreation of the Compass Players original show at the University of Chicago for the 50th anniversary of the Compass Players in 2005 alongside David Shepherd. She produced and directed a second Compass Players recreation in Hyde Park in 2012, and recently directed a series of recreated live Stud’s Place episodes with Pocket Guide To Hell Tours at the Hideout.

About Barrel of Monkeys

Since Barrel of Monkeys’ inception in 1997 it has worked in 60 Chicago Public Schools. More than 8,000 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.

Photos by: Evan Hanover