Live Show
"'Truly innovative; hilarious for adults and delirious for kids." -Amy Friedman VP/Creative Director of NogginTV
"Too often,
parents merely tolerate typical children’s entertainment, whether it’s
TV shows, music, or live performances. But on a recent afternoon, while taking
my kids to see the Funkey Monkeys at their opening show at Off-Broadway’s
Daryl Roth Theatre, I was happily surprised to learn that
just the right mix of adult and child humor and music can surely engage a
preschooler as well as a parent — and leave them both wanting more.
This improv rock band performs a 60-minute set of lively
music mixed with smart humor. Created by Joshua Sitron, composer for the beloved
cartoon series Dora the Explorer, the group consists of actors, musicians
and teachers, who together create a hilarious yet meaningful show for ages
2-8 (unofficially the group says the show appeals to kids under 9 and over
30). Sitron presides on the keyboard and keeps the show moving along with
comical segues. The cast members act out multiple scenarios using props to
highlight their songs; for Moustache, the cast turns their backs to the audience
to don strange moustaches. And while performing Sing, Dance, Underpants, they
put on boxers over their monkey suits, although Monkey Mike forgets the memo
and wears briefs!
If there is a standout performer among this talented group, it’s Monkey
Mike, known as Mike Gold off-stage. His over-the-top gyrations and hysterical
faces keep the audience laughing. At one point, he emerges from backstage
in a giant baby outfit (placed over his monkey costume, tail and all!). On
the search for his mommy, he crawls out into the audience, asking moms if
they are his.
Since the group is trained in improv, it’s a continual element of the
show; the Monkeys use the audience’s laughs (and cries) as material.
They also make references NYC parents can relate to, like living in a too-small
apartment with children. Aside from sheer fun, the group also tackles age-appropriate
topics, such as becoming a big brother and learning to use the potty. In one
story narrated to music, Monkey Mike finally becomes successfully potty-trained,
and runs through the audience back from the bathroom, proudly pronouncing
he has accomplished the task.
The theater is very kid-friendly: children sit right on the floor and get
a close-up view of the various instruments. Adults get a choice of sitting
on chairs in the back or on the floor with their kids. For very young tots,
the band can get loud, so if your child is noise-sensitive, a back seat may
be preferable. The theater is conveniently located across the street from
Union Square Park, and makes for a delightful afternoon weekend outing."
-Danielle Sullivan, NY Metro Parents Magazine
"The show is fantastic." -Nick Santora, Writer/Exec. Producer, Law & Order, Beauty and the Geek
"MUSTACHE
CD, REVIEW: For their latest release, Joshua Sitron and his band of silly
simians stick to their trademark freewheeling humor. The Mustache opens with
“This Is the Bass,” an infectious dance number that has Monkey
Mike (balloon-sculpting prankster Mike Gold) exclaiming over each instrument
as it plays a solo. The Monkeys handle a variety of genres with ease, from
the mambo-inspired “Cupcakes” to the poignant reggae riff “I
Couldn’t Do It Without You.”
The band also seem to understand that its younger audiences are continuously
maturing. The Afropop chants of “Bicycle,” the country & western
“Swimming Song” and the rockabilly groove of “How Ya Gonna
Know?” play to the idea that the kids listening are constantly absorbing
new skills and experiences. The “Scary Music” skit will make tykes
laugh even as they learn how different sounds can elicit a range of emotions,
and “Misconceptions” sounds like a Broadway musical tune, with
the story-in-a-song structure firmly in place. The sly ad-libs on most of
the tracks and adorably off-key passages let you hear how much fun the Monkeys
had while they were recording this follow-up to 2005’s Tastes Like Chicken.
That exuberance, combined with tight musical chops and a sweet emotional openness,
makes The Mustache a worthwhile listen. —Evan
Narcisse, TimeOut NY Magazine
"My girlfriend and I came by ourselves (and for ourselves...i.e., without kids) and we LOVED YOUR SHOW!!!! My girlfriend later told me that she hadn't smiled and laughed so much in a long time. We both thought that your skits and presentation and interactions were highly creative, original and totally charming." -Leslie
"My 2-year old daughter and I had a fantastic time, the show was so clever, music so catchy." -Greg
"Thanks for the natural high." -Allegra
"Shameless". -Richard Liebmann-Smith, Writer, The Tick, Veggie Tales
"I'm starting to figure out that the trick to kids' music is that the weirder it is, the less it annoys me and the more I enjoy it. And FunkeyMonkeys doesn't disappoint.." -ModernDayDad.com
"I love the FunkeyMonkeys, 4-EVER!!!!!!!!!" -Jen
"Oh my God! Oh my God!" -Tara
"All they are saying is, don't poopy in your pants." -Harvey
_____________________________________________________
Sing Dance and Underpants CD
"There would be no war if people had to listen to this CD every morning before getting out of bed!" -Beth
"I've worked at Sesame Workshop for years so I've heard lots of kids' music. I have to honestly say that your music is by far the best stuff we've heard. My 19 month old son loves to sing and dance to it and it makes him so silly. Thanks for keeping us smiling!" -Lynn
"It has been the favorite CD of my 4 yr old and 2 yr old for a very long time. They just love this CD and never tire of it. It is musically interesting, funny, and silly. I never tire of listening to it either. Each piece is very different from the others, which makes listening to the whole CD a pleasure. Other kids CDs drag on because they tend to be repetitive. I bought a dozen to give out at my son's birthday party." -Evie
"Can't get enough of Sing Dance and Underpants! I took my 3 & 6 year old to a Funkey Monkeys show. The loved it, so of course we got the CD. My kids LOVE this CD....and I love it too! The lyrics are genuinely funny and inviting to kids. The arrangements and musicianship are superb -- making this truly an album that both kids and adults can really enjoy!!! (But what does Mr. Tuna mean by 'Flargie'???) -Geoff
"We love this CD!! I bought Sing,Dance, and Underpants for my family and one as a gift. It was such a hit, I just ordered 3 more. I love the songs, my children and their friends love the songs. It's a great CD!!! -Melissa
"It's even better than the first CD! You've taken it to the next level." -Steve
"It is innovative, and just great fun. We listened with big smiles." -Walt
"I love the words and the music. It made me laugh and smile alot and did the same the same for my 4 grandchildren." -Maddie
"Thank you so much! We feel so lucky to have discovered you guys!!!" -Bertha
"The song I'd Like a Banana had me, my wife, my daughter, and my colleagues literally rolling on the floor laughing. Well done!" -Nick
_____________________________________________________
FunkeyMonkeys! CD
"This cd
is the best kids cd ever! Not only are the songs familiar with a great beat,
but the best part is parents andgrandparents can actually stand to listen
to it over and over again." -Sandra from Cincinnati,
Ohio
"After teaching pre-school aged children for several years and being saturated with enough Raffi-like nursery rhymes to choke a 4 year-old, I was more than appreciative to hear the innovative and funk-da-fied monkeys. Moms and Dads will no longer roll their eyes and sigh in exasperation when their children demand to hear their music. The whole family will derive enjoyment from his cd. My class and myself alike love groovin' to the beat of the 70's inspired "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and the soulful "Hush Little Baby", and take a breather while listening to the peaceful "Morning has Broken". Overall, an inventive composer, a group of enthusiastic children, and a creative lead vocalist have collaborated their talent to produce an album that is a perfect balance of funk and fun." -Eileen from NY, NY
"I babysit for a 5 year old girl, who is madly in love with this CD. She asks me to put it on everyday. She loves to dance to it and sing along. It is truly funkey and fun for both adults and children!!! I love it!!!" -Karen Stein from New York, New York
"Its the one thing that [my 3-year old daughter] can ask for that her mother and I are happy to share with her, again and again." -Steve from Long Island, NY
"My two
year old daughter absolutely loved it. Nice change for her from the traditional
nursery rhyme type music to a more rhythmic mix. She would most often choose
FunkeyMonkeys! over others and insist that her friends dance to it ! -D
BHATTACHARYA from USA
"An awesome cd. My son loves it very much." -Seth A. Jonas from New York, NY United States
Hola I am Mexican
and want to say to [the FunkeyMonkeys]. They are a few geniuses and only I
hope that we continue enjoying his music since they are discs that are listened
in america and in the whole world His disc is a jewel that must be had generation
in generation, the disc is entertained with a very good production ..... congratulations
..! -Javier
This cd is excellent! i'm a musician and also a teacher of a pre-k class.
i have been looking for this type of cd to help better engage my students
during music time. this is definitely the ticket!! although i love playing
my guitar and singing songs, like "she'll be comin' round the mountain",
for my students how can i compare with the funkey monkey cd? ;) great stuff!!
-Andrew
This is a great CD! I bought it for my 16-month old grandson, and all of us
love it! He dances all over the house with it. I care for him most of the
time, and it's great to have! Thanks. -Paula
It fun, upbeat, and the kids just love it.... they always ask for the monkey
cd! Thanks
my kids LOVE the funky monkeys! and i do too! -Alexis
My kids love it and so do i and my husband. it gets us all dancing around the living room! -Amy
_____________________________________________________
Want to add your own review for the live show or one of our CDs? Click HERE and we'd be happy to print it.