Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster

In-Person Production |* Ideal for Ages 3 & Up

Runs Sep 10 – Oct 16 |at Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine

Public Performances |Saturdays and Sundays at 9:30AM and 11:30AM

School Shows |Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10:00AM and 12:00PM.

ACCESS Weekend |Sat, Oct 8 (9:30AM ASL Interpreted and Open Captioned; 11:30AM Sensory Friendly). Sun Oct 9 (9:30AM Open Captioned; 11:30AM Sensory Friendly).

Run Time60 Minutes

Runs Sep 10 – Oct 16, 2022

Direct from New York City and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, this Chicago premiere features hundreds of illustrated puppets, fuzzy Muppet-style puppets, hilarious actors on live cameras, and a live music soundtrack which bring the popular children’s books by Mo Willems to life in a new Manual Cinema show the whole family will enjoy.

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 his chance to scare the tuna salad out of an unsuspecting human? Or will it be the start of an unlikely friendship? They will need to make a big decision: will they be friends or will they be controlled by their fears?

*This production is suitable for all ages – toddlers, children, and teens, but best suited for ages 3 and up. However, you know your kids best! We trust your discretion while attending Chicago Children’s Theatre shows.

Creative Team

View The Digital Program

Behind the Scenes

Watch The Trailer

Photo (Left to Right): Kerry and Sam with Cloud (Leah Casey, Julia Miller, Lindsey Noel Whiting) By Ben Kauffman

Leonardo (Anney Fresh), Kerry (Leah Casey), Sam (Sarah Fornace) By Rebecca Michelson

Kerry (Leah Casey), Sam (Sarah Fornace), Frankenthaler (Lily Emerson), Leonardo (Anney Fresh) By Rebecca Michelson

Leonardo (Anney Fresh), Sam (Sarah Fornace) By Rebecca Michelson