Joseph Schupbach News

The summer fun never has to end!  Barrel of Monkeys ushers in the school year with THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Back To School, directed by Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach, playing Mondays at 8 pm from August 17 - September 7, 2015 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago.  Enjoy an entertaining evening of short stories and songs - 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.

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.

Barrel of Monkeys' Board of Directors today announced that Amanda Farrar will be stepping down as the company's Executive Director at the end May, after serving nearly six years in the post. Longtime Barrel of Monkeys Company Member Gwen Tulin will serve as Interim Executive Director during the search for a new Executive Director.

Barrel of Monkeys, in collaboration with the The University of Chicago Department of Theatre and Performance Studies, invites you to join student-authors, their classmates, family and educators for the annual CELEBRATION OF AUTHORS, featuring performances of student-written stories created at all of its partner schools and after-school program during the 2014-2015 season. Performed by more than 30 Barrel of Monkeys actors and musicians and directed by Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach, this FREE event takes place Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at 7:30 pm (6:30 pm reception) at the University of Chicago's Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E 60th St. in Chicago.  For reservations, please call (312) 409-1954. 

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.

Barrel of Monkeys, in collaboration with the The University of Chicago Department of Theatre and Performance Studies, invites you to join student-authors, their classmates, family and educators for the annual CELEBRATION OF AUTHORS, featuring performances of student-written stories created at all of its partner schools and after-school program during the 2014-2015 season. Performed by more than 30 Barrel of Monkeys actors and musicians and directed by Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach, this FREE event takes place Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at 7:30 pm (6:30 pm reception) at the University of Chicago's Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E 60th St. in Chicago. For reservations, please call (312) 409-1954.

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 latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Ravinia's summer season announced, plus the 'Mormon' and 'Merman' rivalry/revelry. 'The Addams Family' and 'Mr. Burns' extend, 'That's Weird' goes musical, Annaleigh Ashford and 'Tyler's Songs' bow on March 21, and Joan Curto and 'Finishing The Birthday Hat' honor Sondheim's 85th birthday!

Barrel of Monkeys will present THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: THE MUSICAL, an all-musical revue featuring stories conceived and written by Chicago Public School students, adapted into songs by Barrel of Monkeys talented team of composers and directed by Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach.

Barrel of Monkeys is pleased to present THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: THE MUSICAL, an all-musical revue featuring stories conceived and written by Chicago Public School students, adapted into songs by Barrel of Monkeys talented team of composers and directed by Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach. THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: THE MUSICAL also marks the return the company's popular Sunday matinees with performances March 1 - 30, 2015 (Sundays at 2 pm and Mondays at 8 pm) at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago.

Chase away the winter blues at Barrel of Monkeys' THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Hot Cocoa Time directed by Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach playing January 12 - February 9, 2015 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast below!

Barrel of Monkeys will present THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: THE MUSICAL, an all-musical revue featuring stories conceived and written by Chicago Public School students, adapted into songs by Barrel of Monkeys talented team of composers and directed by Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach.

Chase away the winter blues at Barrel of Monkeys' THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Hot Cocoa Time directed by Artistic Director Joseph Schupbach playing January 12 - February 9, 2015 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago.

?Barrel of Monkeys is pleased to announce the appointment of Joseph Schupbach as the company's new Artistic Director effective November 3, 2014. Schupbach began his involvement with Barrel of Monkeys in 2005 and has served full-time as Education Coordinator since 2011. He succeeds Molly Brennan who stepped down September 2014 after serving as Artistic Director since 2011. Schupach is the Barrel of Monkeys' fifth Artistic Director since its inception in 1997.

Writers and performers Zoe Schwartz (pictured, left), Joseph Schupbach (pictured, right), and Laura McKenzie (not pictured) join forces this September to bestow upon you 'Totally Cute!' - a classic yet disturbing journey through improvised and finely hewn sketch. 'Totally Cute' runs tonight through Sunday September 19-21, 2014 at 7:30 pm.

Writers and performers Zoe Schwartz (pictured, left), Joseph Schupbach (pictured, right), and Laura McKenzie (not pictured) join forces this September to bestow upon you 'Totally Cute!' - a classic yet disturbing journey through improvised and finely hewn sketch. 'Totally Cute' runs Friday through Sunday September 19-21, 2014 at 7:30 pm.

Barrel of Monkeys is pleased to present THAT'S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Behind the [Monkey] Music, an all-musical revue featuring a full evening of student stories adapted into songs by Barrel of Monkeys talented team of composers, co-directed by Artistic Director Molly Brennan, Company Member Erick Deshaun Dorris and Musical Director Gwen Tulin. This first-ever Behind the [Monkey] Music retrospective will include live interviews with composers, adaptation anecdotes and onstage antics that have become the signature delight of That's Weird, Grandma. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in action!

Comedic duo Schupbach and Levy present Apocalypse WOW: The Last Holiday Special Ever' from tonight, December 19 through Saturday, December 21, 2013 at 7:30 pm.

Comedic duo Schupbach and Levy present Apocalypse WOW: The Last Holiday Special Ever' from Thursday, December 19 through Saturday, December 21, 2013 at 7:30 pm. All performances take place at Gorilla Tango Bucktown, 1919 N Milwaukee, Chicago IL, 60647. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at gorillatango.com/bucktown or by calling 773-598-4549.

Could 'Mary Minnelli' be the Broadway baby's baby? This one-woman show -- with sexy back-up dancers Donnell Williams and Joseph Schupbach -- is a vehicle for Mary to connect with the woman she believes to be her biological mother: Liza Minnelli. If the Chicago run goes well, Mary plans to hit the bright lights of New York City and perform for Liza herself, reuniting Mary with her mother and starting her on the life she was meant to live in the first place. Singing, dancing, high drama and sequins come together in this darkly humorous world-premiere by Chicago writer-performer and Neo-Futurists, Mary Fons.