Log in to add to your wishlist
Chicago theater company Barrel of Monkeys brings their signature energy and wit to this live compilation of original songs adapted from stories written by Chicago Public Elementary School students.
Genre:
Kids/Family: Kid Friendly
Release Date:
2005
Monkeys Come Alive
© Copyright-Barrel of Monkeys Productions
(634479256844)
Record Label: Barrel of Monkeys
No items available in your wishlist
Barrel of Monkeys (BOM) is a non-profit Chicago based ensemble of actors and educators that creates an alternative learning environment in which children share their personal voices and celebrate the power of their imaginations. BOM accomplishes this through creative writing workshops and in-school performances of children's stories. BOM also engages the broader community in the visions of children though public performances of their work.
BOM's public show of their hilarious adaptations of children's stories, "That's Weird, Grandma", has been winning critical acclaim for five years.
MONKEYS COME ALIVE is a collection of some of BOM's favorite musical adaptations of child-authored stories and was recorded live. Featuring the work of Barrel of Monkeys ensemble members with special guest performances by Chicago musicians including Robbie Fulks.
The stories that inspired the music can be found at www.barrelofmonkeys.org
All proceeds from sale of the CD support BOM's programming in under-resourced Chicago Public Schools.
Praise for "That's Weird, Grandma"
"This group is funnier than anything at Second City, more genuinely creative than anything at Lookingglass, and does more good than all the other nonprofit theaters in town put together. If you don't have a good time, there's something wrong with you." --Chicago Reader
"The screwball evening of short plays is written by Chicago Public School students (grades 3-6) and performed with abandon to match. The fact that it's also the most entertaining show an adult might stumble upon is just a happy coincidence. The best reason we can think of to live in Chicago on a Monday." --TimeOut Chicago
Read more...
Please
log in to review the album.
Unfettered Genius
author: Mucho Maas
This cd is the best -- each and every track is heart-stoppingly good like a plate of fettucine alfredo. I would give it six stars if only such a thing were possible.
Read more...
There's a lot of Genius going on here.
author: Chad Kenward
There's a lot of genius going on here. Driven by its larger than life ensemble numbers, this album has its own nuggets of mellow gold as well. High spirited classics like "Steak", "The Knowwheres", and "Why I think Kids Should Go Buckwild and Horseplay for Five Hours" do amiable heavy lifting for the tone of the album, but it's in the stripped down numbers that the nuances of this startlingly versatile company shine. Robbie Fulks guest appearance on "First Kiss" is a sweet interlude between the avant-gibberish genius of "Friends" and the heart clenching vulnerability of "Wearing a Pink Dress". "Untitled (Oh My God, I Saw My Sister's Friend)" drives a dumptruck full of slow jam booty drop into the middle of the album. As expected, musical theater has a strong showing on this album, but other classic genres are interpreted also. When you hear "The Dog is Dead", think of Kraftwerk; when you hear "Battle For The Light", think of Blue Oyster Cult. The only thing cooler than Barrel of Monkeys mission is the way they make their students stories rock so hard. Buy this album, then enjoy your last day without "Woman Rampage" stuck in your head.
Read more...