MONKEY MIND is a family rock musical about a bright, precocious teen-age girl named Lacy. After Lacy’s mother dies unexpectedly, it leaves her and her father overwhelmed with grief and financial worries. Lacy tries to help him out of his depression by trying to win a singing contest. However, she is plagued by negative thoughts, her MONKEY MIND (played by characters who sing and dance around her on stage). A teacher tries to instill the practice of “staying in the now” and controlling her out of control mind. But not until thoughts of suicide nearly kill her does Lacy appreciate her teaching.
The cast of “Monkey Mind” is loaded with talent, and that alone is worth the price of admission. Darcy Rose Byrnes is an angelic yet grounded ingenue with killer pipes. Corey Page gave me chills with his warm and melancholy tones. With his impressive belt and boy-next-door good looks, Cameron Gilliam is a pop idol waiting to happen. But my favorite was Karla Kelly, who embodied her free-spirited and maternal character with effortless charm, easy comic timing, and a soaring vocal range that brought me pure joy. And the Monkeys were fantastic fun!
I loved, loved, loved Monkey Mind!!! The story and cast were so engaging. I was captivated with Lacy, her 'monkey mind' [the monkeys are GREAT!] and the kind wisdom of her singing teacher. The music & lyrics move the story so well. The music is contemporary yet quite lyrical - at times so sweet. "Monkey Mind" creates a smile deep inside - don't miss this opportunity!
Monkey Mind is a delightful yet deeply moving musical that touches its audience's heart with a simple but poignant message. The story centers around a family struggling with the loss of the mother, lacking the words, time and luxury to heal. Father and daughter, played beautifully by Corey Page (Frank) and Darcy Rose Byrnes (Lacey), are at an impasse in their relationship. Lacey courageously decides to enter a singing contest to try an win $100,000 to alleviate her father's stress but her inner voices, her Monkey Mind, try to sabotage her at every step. Terri Weiss' ingenious use of the characters Monkey Positive, Monkey Crazy, Monkey Negative, provides an acutely painful yet utterly relatable portrayal of the destructive and often dangerous nature of our Monkey Minds at work. Hugely talented actress Tori Cott delivers a wonderfully authentic and often very funny performance as Monkey Crazy, with an outstanding commitment to her role. The story climaxes with Lacey's near suicide and her voice coach, sensitively portrayed by Karla Kelly (Jeanie), talks her down, reminding her of the overarching theme of the play, the rules of life that free us from the grips of the drunk monkey in our heads - live life right here and now, treasure our beloveds, do what we love and believe in ourselves. Terri Weiss has created a beautiful piece of work that is sure to warm the heart of all who have the good fortune to see it. The candor and authenticity of the writing, combined with the play's gently moving music, the excellent performances of the cast and undeniable truth of its inherent message, provide more than just a fun afternoon at the theater. I left with my heart full of love, a renewed commitment to being present, and a joyful appreciation of my life. I'd say that was pretty good going, wouldn't you?
Delightful musical for "NOW"...I loved it all!!! The story and cast were so engaging. I was captivated with Lacy, her 'monkey mind' [the monkeys are GREAT!] and the kind wisdom of her singing teacher. The music & lyrics move the story so well. The music is contemporary yet quite lyrical - at times so sweet. "Monkey Mind" creates a smile deep inside - don't miss this opportunity!
A touching play about a young teenage girl who cannot control her monkey mind and eventually finds her own voice and place in the world. The acting is excellent and the music very contemporary and catchy. This is a spiritually motivating saga for teenagers who are facing the problems of real life experiences and for parents who are struggling to find the right relationship with their young teenagers. The play deals strongly with living in the "NOW" and finding relationships and passion that helps tame the monkey mind and pushes forward to success in life. This is a very uplifting story that takes the audience through the trials and pain of both being a teenager and being a single parent.
The cast of “Monkey Mind” is loaded with talent, and that alone is worth the price of admission. Darcy Rose Byrnes is an angelic yet grounded ingenue with killer pipes. Corey Page gave me chills with his warm and melancholy tones. With his impressive belt and boy-next-door good looks, Cameron Gilliam is a pop idol waiting to happen. But my favorite was Karla Kelly, who embodied her free-spirited and maternal character with effortless charm, easy comic timing, and a soaring vocal range that brought me pure joy. And the Monkeys were fantastic fun!
I loved, loved, loved Monkey Mind!!! The story and cast were so engaging. I was captivated with Lacy, her 'monkey mind' [the monkeys are GREAT!] and the kind wisdom of her singing teacher. The music & lyrics move the story so well. The music is contemporary yet quite lyrical - at times so sweet. "Monkey Mind" creates a smile deep inside - don't miss this opportunity!
Monkey Mind is a delightful yet deeply moving musical that touches its audience's heart with a simple but poignant message. The story centers around a family struggling with the loss of the mother, lacking the words, time and luxury to heal. Father and daughter, played beautifully by Corey Page (Frank) and Darcy Rose Byrnes (Lacey), are at an impasse in their relationship. Lacey courageously decides to enter a singing contest to try an win $100,000 to alleviate her father's stress but her inner voices, her Monkey Mind, try to sabotage her at every step. Terri Weiss' ingenious use of the characters Monkey Positive, Monkey Crazy, Monkey Negative, provides an acutely painful yet utterly relatable portrayal of the destructive and often dangerous nature of our Monkey Minds at work. Hugely talented actress Tori Cott delivers a wonderfully authentic and often very funny performance as Monkey Crazy, with an outstanding commitment to her role. The story climaxes with Lacey's near suicide and her voice coach, sensitively portrayed by Karla Kelly (Jeanie), talks her down, reminding her of the overarching theme of the play, the rules of life that free us from the grips of the drunk monkey in our heads - live life right here and now, treasure our beloveds, do what we love and believe in ourselves. Terri Weiss has created a beautiful piece of work that is sure to warm the heart of all who have the good fortune to see it. The candor and authenticity of the writing, combined with the play's gently moving music, the excellent performances of the cast and undeniable truth of its inherent message, provide more than just a fun afternoon at the theater. I left with my heart full of love, a renewed commitment to being present, and a joyful appreciation of my life. I'd say that was pretty good going, wouldn't you?
Delightful musical for "NOW"...I loved it all!!! The story and cast were so engaging. I was captivated with Lacy, her 'monkey mind' [the monkeys are GREAT!] and the kind wisdom of her singing teacher. The music & lyrics move the story so well. The music is contemporary yet quite lyrical - at times so sweet. "Monkey Mind" creates a smile deep inside - don't miss this opportunity!
A touching play about a young teenage girl who cannot control her monkey mind and eventually finds her own voice and place in the world. The acting is excellent and the music very contemporary and catchy. This is a spiritually motivating saga for teenagers who are facing the problems of real life experiences and for parents who are struggling to find the right relationship with their young teenagers. The play deals strongly with living in the "NOW" and finding relationships and passion that helps tame the monkey mind and pushes forward to success in life. This is a very uplifting story that takes the audience through the trials and pain of both being a teenager and being a single parent.
