Get swept into a whirlwind of imagination as Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster brings Mo Willems’ books to life with vibrant puppets, colorful visuals, and playful storytelling. This inventive production by Manual Cinema invites you to see the world through a childlike lens where creativity knows no bounds.
Leonardo is a terrible monster. He tries so hard to be scary, but he just… isn’t. Then Leonardo finds Sam, the most scaredy-cat kid in the world. Will Leonardo finally get to scare the tuna salad out of someone? Or will it be the start of an unlikely friendship? The plot thickens when this pair meets Kerry and Frankenthaler, an even scaredier-cat and her monster friend. Kerry and Sam need to make a big decision: will they just be scaredy cats or can they become friends?
Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster uses hundreds of illustrated paper puppets, book pages, two-dimensional props, furry monster puppets, and songs to bring Mo Willems’ books to life. Manual Cinema wanted to re-create the experience of holding one of Mo’s book pages, which are big, bold, colorful, and full of visual rhythm, with a playful use of scale. Like all Manual Cinema productions, you’re invited to watch the big screen like a traditional movie, or to watch the artists below as they create the story in real time. (There is no wrong way to watch the show!)
SHOW DETAILS
Run time is 45 minutes.
For ages 3 and up. There are some loud sounds, flashing lights, and furry monster puppets in this show!
CREDITS
Created by Manual Cinema
Inspired by the Books “Leonardo, The Terrible Monster” and “Sam, The Most Scaredy-Cat Kid in the Whole World” by Mo Willems
PRODUCTION
Directed by Sarah Fornace
Adaptation by Sarah Fornace and Drew Dir
Music, Lyrics & Sound Design by Ben Kauffman and Kyle Vegter
Storyboards and 2D Puppet Design by Drew Dir
Hand and Rod Puppet Design by Lizi Breit
Devised by Drew Dir, Sarah Forance and Julia Miller with Leah Casey, Lily Emerson and Lindsey Noel Whiting
Costume & Wig Design by Mieka Van der Ploeg
Lighting Design by Trey Brazeal with Nick Chamernik
Dramaturgy by Megan Alrutz
Tour Manager & Board Operator Maydi Díaz
ORIGINAL CAST
Leah Casey (Kerry, Puppeteer)
Lily Emerson (Narrator, Character Voices, Vocals)
Julia Miller (Sam, Puppeteer)
Lindsey Noel Whiting (Leonardo, Puppeteer)
ADDITIONAL CAST
Sarah Fornace (Sam, Puppeteer)
Anney Fresh (Leonardo, Puppeteer)
Kevin Michael Wesson (Leonardo, Puppeteer)
Shay Turnage (Kerry, Puppeteer)
Understudy
Ann Delaney (Narrator, Character Voices, Vocals)
Commissioned by The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts with additional commissioning support from Utah Presents
The company gives special thanks to David Kilpatrick, Chicago Children’s Theater and Laura Colby.
ORIGINAL MUSIC!
Support the artists by purchasing the album and get ready for the show by listening before-hand with the whole family!
SUGGESTED READING
Coming soon! Our friends at the Forbes Library are creating a great list of books to check out as you prepare for the show!
This event is participating in the Card to Culture Program! We will be offering 10 seats at a discounted price of $10 to any patrons with a valid EBT, WIC, or ConnectorCare card. To purchase these tickets, please visit or call the box office Tuesday through Friday between 3:00pm and 6:00pm. Limit 4 tickets per cardholder per show. Tickets are sold on a first-come-first-serve basis. Find out more at: https://massculturalcouncil.org/organizations/card-to-culture/
Student and Senior discounts are available. Sign up for our newsletter to receive the discount codes and other offers!
Fees always apply to purchase. Tickets can be purchased in person or over the phone Tuesday through Friday 3pm to 6pm. Tickets can also be purchased online at any time for no additional cost/fee. All Sales are final. If you have any questions about accessibility, please contact the box office at boxoffice@aomtheatre.com or (413) 584-9032 X105.
Show Date/Time:
Friday, October 3, 2025 at 6:30 pm
Doors at 6:00 pm
Ticket Prices:
$25.16 Adult, $19.68 Student After Fees
Where/ How Tickets Can be Purchased:
Purchase online using the button on the top right (scroll to the bottom of the page if using mobile), or you may visit or call our box office at 413-584-9032 ext.105.
Box Office Hours are 3pm – 6pm, Tuesday – Friday. Service fees always apply with purchase.