Leonardo! A Wonderful Show about a Terrible Monster Reviews

Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended

"...Making friends can be scary, especially if you're one of the biggest scaredy-cats in the whole world. Sometimes it takes the help of some adorable, fluffy monsters to come out of your shell. Monsters Leonardo and Frankenthaler team up to do just that for their human friends, Sam and Kerry, in Manual Cinema's "Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster," now playing at Chicago Children's Theatre. The multimedia production, which makes its Chicago premiere after playing in New York City and Edinburgh, Scotland, blends puppetry, cinematic techniques and original music to tell this sweet, quirky story."

Chicago Reader - Recommended

"...As the production company’s name suggests, the show’s four-person cast executes the story as a DIY film, projected onto a screen set above the stage. Each performer helps bring Leonardo’s story to life using a carefully thought-out fusion of lively puppetry, intricate paper cutouts, and amusing character work, complete with playful costumes and Kauffman and Vegter’s live music. While the story is well-suited for young children (the company recommends it for ages 2-11), audiences of all ages can appreciate Manuel Cinema’s immersive visuals and impressive technical setup that seamlessly blends the stage and screen."

Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...If you want to get your little ones into theater, I have a great prescription for you-Chicago Children’s Theatre, located downtown will wow them with their plays, their classes and their education. I had not been to a presentation there since they moved t their current location at 100 S. Racine, but today, with my junior reviewer Tomaso Casati ( and his dad) we attended a wonderful show entitled Leonardo! A Wonderful Show about a Terrible Monster”- part of the Manual Cinema Presents program."

Third Coast Review - Highly Recommended

"...It was a rainy Sunday morning, so what’s the best thing to do (as an alternative to staying in bed)? About a hundred parents and kids—and I—thought the best thing to do was go to the Chicago Children’s Theatre. And it was the right decision because we saw the most delightful play for children of all ages: Leonardo, A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster."

NewCity Chicago - Recommended

"..."Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster" adapts two acclaimed children's books by former Sesame Street animator Mo Willems. The books and the play feature two young monsters that fail at scaring children, but succeed at befriending and helping scaredy-cat kids. The gently-paced forty-five-minute play is directed by Redmoon-Lookingglass-etc. alum and Manual Cinema co-artistic director Sarah Fornace. Fornace fills "Leonardo!" with plenty of action and enough of the company's mesmerizing visuals to keep short attention spans riveted."