Review – Leonardo: A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster!
What if you could watch a behind the scenes documentary about a animated puppet show as it was being performed live on stage? You can find out as the Children’s Theater Company brilliantly brings to life two classic Mo Willems stories in Leonardo: A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster! in a unique and captivating new production. Based on the books, “Leonardo, The Terrible Monster,” and “Sam: The Most Scaredy-Cat Kid in the Whole World,” the show expands the stories and takes you into the world of not-so-scary monsters. Acclaimed visual arts collective Manual Cinema combines screen projection, physical puppetry, shadow puppets, anaolog animation, and live action performance into a unified production that you can watch being made in real time. It was captivating to watch the performers act out scenes with little paper cut-outs one second, dash over to make shadows on an overhead projector the next, and then continue telling the story with puppets, all while the narrator told the story and played music on multiple instruments.
As much as I appreciated the artistry that went into the show, it might be a little too much for smaller kids to take in. I would also highly recommend bringing a pair of earmuffs, and not just for kids who are extra-sensitive to sounds. There were a few times when it the vocals and music and action got to be overwhelming and my pre-schooler–who otherwise thrives at full volume–let me know that it was too loud for him.* There were also a few instances where the screen flickered or flashed to black that caught my attention, but with so many things happening at once, a glitch or two probably won’t bother most folks.
In all, Leonardo makes use of a brilliant blend of storytelling media to animate a charming story about friendship and bravery for kids and adults alike. Shows run now through March 9, 2025 with morning, afternoon and evening show times. Visit Children’s Theater Company for more information. An Audience Guide to help prepare for the show is also available for download and is definitely worth checking out.
*Note: Sensory devices like ear plugs and noise canceling headphones are available to borrow from the theater. Ask an usher for assistance.
Photo by Glen Stubbe Photography