Displaying items by tag: Dixie Belinda Uffelman
That's Weird, Grandma's Summer Series A Fine Credit To Barrel of Monkeys Great Work With CPS
For those of you who are not aware, there is a great youth program taking place where a group of educators have created an alternative education source for CPS students. Enter Barrel of Monkeys. Barrel of Monkeys (BOM) is a combined group of actors, teachers and musicians that have developed a new, and fun, way for students to enhance their creative writing skills while building their self-esteem and open doors for them to express themselves. Mainly working with third through fifth graders, BOM focuses on working with underserved schools on Chicago’s South and West sides and the result has been a huge success.
Taking stories from students, this talented ensemble translates, then performs these ideas (often word for word, which can be amazingly hilarious) on stage, currently at the Neo-Futurist Theater in Andersonville. In what always turns into series of absurdly funny sketches, BOM’s performers act out each story, promptly giving credit to the student author before they begin.
Barrel of Monkeys now continues into the summer with their That’s Weird, Grandma series, a run that changes its overall theme throughout the year, the latest being That’s Weird, Grandma: The Summer Strikes Back. Again, with all material written by Chicago Public School students, you can just imagine how it translates when acted out by a professional theatre ensemble. Needless to say, the laughs are plentiful from beginning to end.
In Summer Strikes Back directed by Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach BOM performs seventeen sketches in their hour-plus performance, some converted into songs while others acted out just as they were written. Stories range in creativity and are each amusing in their own way. Though some stories may be as simple as a conversation between a bunny and an EXIT sign or “Taylor the Rose” where a rose reads off a list on what not to do to her – like pick her because she will die, BOM is able to find the humor in each while at the same time brilliantly promoting the imagination and expression of its young student writers. With titles such as “The Day A Monkey Slapped My Cousin”, “Jake’s Very Bad Day”, “Walking Meatball and Mozzarella Cheese” and “Lady Spy”, you can only imagine the fun that awaits.
While getting the chance to enjoy a very humorous evening of one hilarious sketch after another, one is also supporting a fantastic program – a program that has helped students to write over 5,500 stories within the school year. An amazing outfit, Barrel of Monkeys has been pivotal in reaching out to students, 77% of teachers reporting a positive change in enthusiasm for language arts among their lowest performing students over the course of their residency.
That's Weird, Grandma: The Summer Strikes Back is a fun show that, though is mostly a laugh factory, can also reveal moving moments and profound insights of the student writers. With talented cast and musical members (I’ll just name them all since they all made terrific contributions) Nancy Casas, Kassi Bleifuss, Nick Hart, Krista Mickelson, Elizabeth Levy, Laura McKenzie, Spencer Meeks, Deanna Myers, Gwen Tulin, Dixie Belinda Uffelman, Rawson Vint and Joseph Schupbach himself, we get a uniquely well-rounded show that moves quickly and grabs you in from the moment the audience is directed into the seating area by an air traffic controller. This is also a show that can be seen more than once as audience members vote on their favorite sketches afterwards via secret ballot and new sketches are introduced into the following performance as others are removed.
A show for all ages (bring the kids!), Barrel of Monkeys: The Summer Strikes Back is being performed each Monday at 8 pm at Neo-Futurist Theater through August 15th. Tickets are beyond reasonable at just $12 for adults and $6 for children under twelve.
The critically acclaimed hit production of Obliteration returns
10 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreObliteration, LLC & The Revival Theater announce a limited engagement of Obliteration, written by Andrew Hinderaker, directed by Jonathan Berry, featuring Michael Patrick Thornton and Cyd Blakewell. Obliteration runs April 10-May 4,…
Red Clay Dance Company’s 16 centers perseverance and legacy in Vershawn Sanders-Ward Revival and Bebe Miller Premiere
10 March 2025 in Upcoming DanceThe Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago announces 16 by Red Clay Dance Company for three performances only, April 17-19, 2025, featuring Founding Artistic Director and CEO Vershawn…
Stand Up Together Comedy stars unite during Chicago fundraiser to support California wildfire victims Thursday, March 27 at Laugh Factory Chicago
10 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreStand Up Together, a comedy benefit in support of artists impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires, hosted by Second City and SNL…
Luck Be a Lady Tonight: A Rollicking Review of Music Theatre Works’ 'Guys and Dolls'
09 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewFollowing a string of successful shows, Music Theater Works has once again hit the jackpot with their 2025 season opener,…
Auditorium Theatre’s Presentation of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Company Soars and Astounds
08 March 2025 in Dance in ReviewTwo dancers stand center stage. The traditional, spiritual music begins to play as they start to move. Very much in…
"HENRY JOHNSON," DAVID MAMET'S NEWEST PLAY, TO MAKE ITS CHICAGO PREMIERE AT VICTORY GARDENS THEATER APRIL 8 – MAY 4
07 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreVictory Gardens Theater, in association with Relentless Theatre Group, will present the Midwest premiere of a new work by Pulitzer Prize-winner,…
Citadel’s I and You Delivers a Dynamite Story that Closes with a Knockout
01 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewProlific, and routinely recognized as being one of the most produced playwrights in the country, Lauren Gunderson’s range is as…
Review: Titus Andronicus at Redtwist Theatre
26 February 2025 in Theatre in ReviewDo not bring the kids to TITUS ANDRONICUS; it has 14 killings, 9 of them on stage, 6 severed members,…
See Chicago Dances Launches New Website March 10
26 February 2025 in Upcoming DanceSee Chicago Dance (SCD), celebrating 20 years as the most comprehensive resource for dance information in Chicago and one of the…
HELL'S KITCHEN is Coming to Chicago
26 February 2025 in Upcoming TheatreGet ready, Chicago! AKW Productions and Broadway In Chicago are thrilled to announce that the 13-time Tony Award® nominated Broadway sensation, HELL’S KITCHEN, is set to…
Court Theatre announces casting for the world premiere of Berlin
25 February 2025 in Upcoming TheatreUnder the continuing leadership of Executive Director Angel Ysaguirre, with interim artistic leadership from Senior Artistic Producer Gabrielle Randle-Bent and Senior Managing Producer Heidi…
Ryan Opera Center celebrates 50th anniversary in concert, Apr 25
24 February 2025 in Upcoming DanceThe Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, Lyric Opera of Chicago's renowned artist-development program, will present its annual…
The Joffrey Ballet Announces 2025-26 Season at Lyric Opera House
24 February 2025 in Upcoming DanceAshley Wheater MBE, The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet, today announces the Joffrey's 2025-2026 season at…
Review: ‘Hedda Gabler’ at The Artistic Home at The Den Theatre
22 February 2025 in Theatre in Review‘Hedda Gabler’ has mystified audiences for generations, as this was certainly Ibsen’s intention when creating this endlessly fascinating character. The…
Get It While It’s Hot: Waitress now serving at Paramount Theatre
22 February 2025 in Theatre in ReviewSugar, butter, flour…beneath the flaky layers and buttery crusts of pies lay these three simple ingredients. They’re mixed and blended…
RIVERDANCE 30 - THE NEW GENERATION On Sale February 21st
20 February 2025 in Upcoming TheatreBroadway In Chicago is excited to announce individual tickets for RIVERDANCE 30 – THE NEW GENERATION will go on sale on Friday,…
'Clue' The Hilarious Whodunit Brings Mystery Mayhem to CIBC Theatre
20 February 2025 in Theatre in ReviewI’m not a fan of board games. I’ve never finished a full game of Monopoly. Risk? No, thanks. But Clue?…
Rivendell Theatre launches 30th Season with world premiere of No Such Thing
19 February 2025 in Upcoming TheatreRivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only women-centered Equity storefront theatre, ushers in its 30th Anniversary Season with the world premiere of No Such Thing by…
Full Casting Announced for Steppenwolf Theatre's THE BOOK OF GRACE - Chicago Premiere!
19 February 2025 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to announce full casting for the Chicago premiere of The…
Celebrating 15th Anniversary of Joffrey Ballet's Winning Works at the MCA from March 14-23
18 February 2025 in Upcoming DanceThe Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet celebrates the 15th Anniversary of its choreographic competition, Winning Works, with five world premieres over…
Avalanche Theatre makes its Chicago debut with world premiere of Time is a Color and the Color is Blue by Melanie Coffey May 1–24, 2025
18 February 2025 in Upcoming TheatreAvalanche Theatre announces its Chicago debut with the world premiere of Time is a Color and the Color is Blue by Chicago playwright…
Reaching New Heights: Radvanovsky is Radiant at the Lyric Opera
17 February 2025 in Theatre in ReviewDo not believe the hype. AI will not replace the arts. By its very definition it is artificial, the antithesis…
A new "cult" classic: Missy Mazzoli's The Listeners comes to Lyric Opera, Mar 30
17 February 2025 in Theatre in ReviewDo you hear it? The haunting hum of Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek's The Listeners will transfix audiences at Lyric Opera of…
Creepy-Crawly Circus Magic: OVO Dazzles at NOW Arena!
16 February 2025 in Theatre in ReviewI’ve never seen Cirque and have always longed to. It was SO worth the wait! Here’s what I saw: Color.…
Northlight announces cast for Prayer for the French Republic in a co-pro with Theater Wit
16 February 2025 in Upcoming TheatreNorthlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2024–2025 season with Joshua Harmon's celebrated play Prayer for…
Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces the cast of its NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE Production Sunny Afternoon
15 February 2025 in Upcoming TheatreChicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces today the cast and creative team of its highly anticipated North American Premiere musical event Sunny Afternoon. Based…
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical - How a nice Jewish girl from Brooklyn gave us the songs that defined a generation
15 February 2025 in Theatre in ReviewBeautiful: The Carole King Musical is a captivating tribute to the extraordinary journey of Carole King, tracing her path from…
Delightful ‘Circus Quixote’ Marks Lookingglass Triumphant Return to Water Tower
12 February 2025 in Theatre in Review“Don Quixote of La Mancha” is considered the oldest European novel, but it gets a fresh and exciting new treatment…
Review: 'Fool for Love' at Steppenwolf Theatre
10 February 2025 in Theatre in ReviewLove is often jokingly referred to as a socially acceptable form of insanity, but in Sam Shepard’s ‘Fool for Love’…
Court Theatre’s "A Raisin in the Sun": Bold Choices, Timeless Struggles
10 February 2025 in Theatre in ReviewLike the dream deferred in Langston Hughes' poem that inspired its title, Court Theatre's latest production of "A Raisin in…
Latest Articles
-
Red Clay Dance Company’s 16 centers perseverance and legacy in Vershawn Sanders-Ward Revival and Bebe Miller Premiere
Written by Buzz Center StageThe Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago announces 16 by Red Clay Dance Company for three performances only, April 17-19, 2025, featuring Founding Artistic Director and CEO Vershawn Sanders-Ward (‘02)’s new staging of Written on the Flesh and a premiere by Bebe Miller—commissioned and set on Red Clay Dance Company dancers including… -
The critically acclaimed hit production of Obliteration returns
Written by Buzz Center StageObliteration, LLC & The Revival Theater announce a limited engagement of Obliteration, written by Andrew Hinderaker, directed by Jonathan Berry, featuring Michael Patrick Thornton and Cyd Blakewell. Obliteration runs April 10-May 4, 2025, at The Revival Theater, 906 S Wabash Ave in Chicago. Obliteration is a fusion of stand-up comedy and theater that tells…
-
Stand Up Together Comedy stars unite during Chicago fundraiser to support California wildfire victims Thursday, March 27 at Laugh Factory Chicago
Written by Buzz Center StageStand Up Together, a comedy benefit in support of artists impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires, hosted by Second City and SNL Alum Katie Rich, is planned for Thursday, March 27 at 7:30pm at Laugh Factory Chicago, 3175 N Broadway. Comedians Pat McGann, Katie Rich, Megan…
-
Luck Be a Lady Tonight: A Rollicking Review of Music Theatre Works’ 'Guys and Dolls'
Written by Kimberly KatzFollowing a string of successful shows, Music Theater Works has once again hit the jackpot with their 2025 season opener, Guys and Dolls. This delightful production is currently wowing audiences at the North Theatre at the North Shore Center for…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.