Mari Marroquin

PlayMakers Laboratory will celebrate its 25th anniversary of arts education in Chicago schools with 25 Years of Students’ Stories, two public performances featuring stories written by Chicago youth on Monday, December 5 at 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm at the Neo-Futurist Theater.

Grandma is back with holiday classics and new family favorites as PlayMakers Laboratory (formerly Barrel of Monkeys) presents THAT'S WEIRD GRANDMA: Holiday Extravaganza, directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd, playing December 9 – 21, 2019 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.playmakerslab.org or by calling (773) 506-7140. 

Barrel of Monkeys presents the annual all musical edition of its much-lauded sketch show: THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Stories That Sing and Dance, directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd, playing Fridays and Saturday at 7:30 pm from May 3 - 25, 2019 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago.

I left the world premiere of Isaac Gomez's LA RUTA at Steppenwolf Theatre Company with a heavy heart, yet one that was also full as I admired the immense work of the all-female Latinx ensemble. Gomez's necessarily tragic play focuses on Mexican women who live in Ciudad Juarez and have been disappearing along the bus route home from their factory jobs. LA RUTA handles its devastating subject matter with compelling gravitas (Gomez conducted several interviews to bring the play to life). Through his strong and deeply human characters, Gomez gives voice to this ongoing tragedy without ever sliding into a didactic tone.

Now playing in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre is the world premiere production of La Ruta written by acclaimed Chicago playwright Isaac Gomez, directed by ensemble member Sandra Marquez.

 Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the world premiere production of La Ruta by acclaimed Chicago playwright Isaac Gomez, directed by ensemble member Sandra Marquez and featuring ensemble member Karen Rodriguez along with an eight-member all female Latinx cast. Inspired by the lives of Mexican women who live, work-and disappear-along a Ciudad Juarez bus route, La Ruta weaves live music through a story of resilience in the wake of loss.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the world premiere production of La Ruta by acclaimed Chicago playwright Isaac Gomez, directed by ensemble member Sandra Marquez and featuring ensemble member Karen Rodriguez along with an eight-member all female Latinx cast. Inspired by the lives of Mexican women who live, work-and disappear-along a Ciudad Juarez bus route, La Ruta weaves live music through a story of resilience in the wake of loss.

In conjunction with the world premiere of La Ruta by acclaimed Chicago-based playwright Isaac Gomez and directed by ensemble member Sandra Marquez, Steppenwolf Theatre Company has curated an event series of conversations and performances designed to enrich the experience around the world of the play. Inspired by the lives of Mexican women who live, work-and disappear-along a Ciudad Juarez bus route, La Ruta weaves live music through a story of resilience in the wake of loss.

Barrel of Monkeys celebrates the season with THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA Rings in the Holidays, directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd, playing Mondays at 8 pm (plus special weekend performances) from December 10 - December 22, 2018 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org or by calling (773) 506-7140. 

This December, Steppenwolf Theatre Company is proud to present the world premiere production of La Ruta by acclaimed Chicago playwright Isaac Gomez, directed by ensemble member Sandra Marquez. Featuring ensemble member Karen Rodriguez along with an eight-member all female Latinx cast, La Ruta is inspired by the lives of Mexican women who live, work-and disappear-along a Ciudad Juarez bus route. La Ruta weaves live music through a story of resilience in the wake of loss.

 Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the world premiere production of La Ruta by acclaimed Chicago playwright Isaac Gomez, directed by ensemble member Sandra Marquez and featuring ensemble member Karen Rodriguez along with an eight-member all female Latinx cast. Inspired by the lives of Mexican women who live, work-and disappear-along a Ciudad Juarez bus route, La Ruta weaves live music through a story of resilience in the wake of loss.

Barrel of Monkeys celebrates the season with THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA Rings in the Holidays, directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd, playing Mondays at 8 pm (plus special weekend performances) from December 10 - December 22, 2018 at the Neo-Futurist Theater

Barrel of Monkeys celebrates the season with THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Holiday Stories, a festive line-up of sketches and songs written by kids and inspired by the holidays, winter, elves, gift-giving and much more! THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Holiday Stories will play Mondays at 8 pm - plus a special weekend of added holiday performances - now through December 23, 2017 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. The press opening is Monday, December 11 at 8 pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Barrel of Monkeys celebrates the season with THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Holiday Stories, a festive line-up of sketches and songs written by kids and inspired by the holidays, winter, elves, gift-giving and much more! THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Holiday Stories will play Mondays at 8 pm plus a special weekend of added holiday performances from December 4 December 23, 2017 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd, THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA features stories conceived and written by Chicago elementary school students and adapted for the stage and performed by Barrel of Monkeys Company Members. Tickets are available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org or by calling (773) 506-7140. The press opening is Monday, December 11, 2017.

Barrel of Monkeys invites you to enjoy a line-up of brand new stories this summer at THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Attack of the Phantom of the BBQ directed by Joseph Schupbach, playing Mondays at 8 pm from June 19 - July 17 and August 7 - 28, 2017 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Throughout the summer, Barrel of Monkeys will premiere new stories from the 2016-17 school year written by Chicago Public School students and adapted for the stage and performed by Barrel of Monkeys Company Members. Tickets are available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org or by calling (773) 506-7140. 

Imagine an incredible rock concert, completely penned by young authors and composed by Chicago actors and musicians! Barrels of Monkeys is pleased to present its all-musical revue, THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Rise of the Rock Spectacular, playing March 5 - 27, 2017 (Sundays at 2 pm & Mondays at 8 pm) at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Directed by Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach, Barrel of Monkeys talented Company Members have transformed stories conceived and written by Chicago Public School students into a full hour of original songs, complete with a new opening band each week! For tickets, reservations and information visit www.barrelofmonkeys.org or call (773) 506-7140. The press performance is Monday, March 6 at 8 pm.

Imagine an incredible rock concert, completely penned by young authors and composed by Chicago actors and musicians! Barrels of Monkeys is pleased to present its all-musical revue, THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Rise of the Rock Spectacular, playing March 5 - 27, 2017 (Sundays at 2 pm & Mondays at 8 pm) at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Directed by Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach, Barrel of Monkeys talented Company Members have transformed stories conceived and written by Chicago Public School students into a full hour of original songs, complete with a new opening band each week! For tickets, reservations and information visit www.barrelofmonkeys.org or call (773) 506-7140. The press performance is Monday, March 6 at 8 pm.

Barrel of Monkeys invites you to enjoy a line-up full of brand new stories at THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Summer Block Party, directed by Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach, playing Mondays at 8 pm from June 8 - August 10, 2015 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Throughout the summer months, Barrel of Monkeys will premiere stories from the 2014-15 school year - all conceived and written by Chicago Public School students and adapted for the stage and performed by Barrel of Monkeys Company Members. For tickets, reservations and information visit www.barrelofmonkeys.org or call (312) 409-1954. The press performance is Monday, June 15 at 8 pm.

The joyous journey and loving look at the blessings and perils of being a Mom is the subject of the new musical sensation, Motherhood the Musical®. The hilarious and insightful show will delight Chicago audiences when it debuts at the Royal George Theatre, running through May 20. Motherhood the Musical® is produced by GFOUR Productions, the team who has successfully brought Menopause The Musical® to every major market in the United States. It is current playing at the Royal George Theatre in Chicago. Check out the opening night photos below!