Barrel of Monkeys company members perform THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA. Photo by Evan Hanover.

Barrel of Monkeys has announced the 2018-19 season of its long-running original sketch show THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA.

Now in its eighteenth year, the production features adaptations of stories written during Barrel of Monkeys’ creative writing residencies in Chicago elementary schools as teaching artists guide 3^rd through 5^th graders through a six-week curriculum that uses theater to bring out the storyteller in every child. Rotating themes highlight the diversity of stories BOM students concoct, from hilarious dialogues between unlikely characters to poignant pleas for social change. Every week brings a new line-up of stories, and BOM invites audiences to vote on their favorites at each performance.

Comments Barrel of Monkeys’ Executive Director Corinne Neal, “We’re thrilled to be incorporating more weekend and evening performances this season, to better serve the adult sketch-comedy crowd in addition to our loyal audience of local families and adventurous theatre-goers. This show is truly for anyone with an inner child.”

THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA’s 2018-19 season (from the press release):

October 7 – November 4, 2018
THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Ghosts, Ghouls, and Talking Potatoes
Directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd
Sundays at 3 pm

Just in time for Halloween, gather ye ‘round for a line-up of scary (and silly) stories featuring creepy twins that appear in photos, talking potatoes getting lost in the woods, Malcolm X fighting zombies and other spooky scenarios imagined by Chicago elementary school students.

December 10 – December 22, 2018
THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA Rings in the Holidays
Directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd
Mondays at 8 pm + weekend performances

Barrel of Monkeys’ beloved holiday special returns with a mix of classic stories from the That’s Weird, Grandma repertoire alongside brand new sketches and songs. Make That’s Weird, Grandma your family’s newest holiday tradition!

January 20 – February 17, 2019

THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Star-Studded Stories
Directed by Mary Tilden
Sundays at 3 pm

Witness pop culture legends live onstage – or at least pop culture legends as 3rd – 5th graders imagine them! BOM performers portray stars past, present and fictional through outrageous dialogues and choreographed musical numbers.

May 3 – May 25, 2019
THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Stories That Sing and Dance
Directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm

Back by popular demand, BOM’s all-musical line-up returns with a mix of new and classic song-and-dance numbers performed to live accompaniment by the talented musicians of Barrel of Monkeys. Now performing in prime-time for the first time ever!

June 24 – August 12, 2019
THAT’S WEIRD GRANDMA: Fantastic Beasts and the Stories About Them
Co-Directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd and Bradford Stevens
Mondays at 8 pm

Meet the strange and wonderful creatures created by Barrel of Monkeys students, from talking animals to intergalactic lifeforms. BOM performers bring these beings to life through song, dance, and ridiculous costumes.

For more information on Barrel of Monkey’s 2018/19 season visit barrelofmonkeys.org.