Jan 8 - Mar 9, 2025
Best enjoyed by Younger audiences!
Every child is different and may or may not be ready for certain elements of each production—Read more about this show’s age recommendation below!
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Monsters have one job and it’s to be SCARY! “Booga booga booga!” But as hard as he tries, Leonardo can’t scare even a mouse. When the other monsters laugh and make fun of him, Leonardo goes in search of the most scaredy-cat kid in the whole world to try and scare the tuna salad out of him! Nationally acclaimed theater company Manual Cinema breathes innovative life into this beloved story (and its doubly charming sequel), using hundreds of puppets to magically create a movie before your very eyes. Will Leonardo finally become the scary monster he dreams of being? Or will he discover something even better to be?
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
Commissioned by The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts with additional commissioning support from Utah Presents
Directed by Sarah Fornace
Adaptation by Sarah Fornace and Drew Dir
Music and Lyrics by Ben Kauffman and Kyle Vegter
“We are so thrilled to bring Leonardo! A Wonderful Show about a Terrible Monster to the Twin Cities. The show adapts two books by everyone’s favorite bedtime book author Mo Willems, and it tells an important story about empathy and choosing unexpected friendships. Minneapolis has such a wonderful arts scene and some of the best puppetry in the country! We always love performing here, because the audiences are smart and savvy and seem to love puppet shows! We use paper puppets, fuzzy Muppet-style puppets, live music, and video cameras to bring Mo’s books to life in front of the audience’s eyes. In every Manual Cinema show, we always show the process of making the performance, and I hope that we inspire the future generation to make their own art and tell their own stories! Also, as a parent, I am always excited to bring this show to other parents. There are jokes for all ages, and the songs are jams—I do not mind singing them 100 times.”
–Sarah Fornace, Leonardo! A Wonderful Show about a Terrible Monster Playwright and Director
Our 2024-2025 Season is Here!
There are six phenomenal shows to keep your family entertained, engaged, and creating lifelong memories you’ll cherish forever!
This season of epically awesome exploits is indubitably fresh. With a whole lotta soul-shaking, soul-searching, foot-stomping, mid-air tumbling, big-screen puppeteering fun. There are monsters, magic, and illustrations that literally jump off the page.
2024-2025 Season
September 12-October 20, 2024
Best for all ages!
UnitedHealth Group Stage
Soar into the visual spectacle of this pulsating acrobatic performance that explores the spirit and vitality of township life, backed by the energetic beat of South African pop music!
October 8-November 10, 2024
Best for Independent readers of all ages!
Cargill Stage
Experience the energy of a graphic novelist’s imagination at work as you’re drawn into this innovative story that magically takes place both on stage and on screen!
November 5, 2024-January 5, 2025
Best for all ages!
UnitedHealth Group Stage
In this CTC holiday favorite, filled with music and Seussian rhymes, everyone’s favorite grouchy, green Grinch plots the greatest heist imaginable—stealing the very thing the joyful Whos love the most!
January 8-March 9, 2025
Best for younger audiences!
Cargill Stage
Nationally acclaimed theater company Manual Cinema breathes innovative life into this beloved story by Mo Willems, using hundreds of puppets to magically create a movie right before your very eyes!
February 4-March 9, 2025
Best for all ages!
UnitedHealth Group Stage
Don’t miss this world-premiere musical, featuring dynamic new songs ranging from hip hop and pop to country as Milo learns that real life can sometimes be even more incredible than an imaginary one!
April 15-June 15, 2025
Best for all ages!
UnitedHealth Group Stage
Don’t miss the Children’s Theatre Company production of the hit Broadway musical! Sing along with Elsa, Anna, and Olaf, a snowman who melts your heart. You won’t want to let it go!
Plan Your Visit
Children’s Theatre Company is proud to offer information, tips, advice and handy guides so that our patrons’ theatre experiences are as rich, pleasant and convenient as possible. Whether you have been coming to CTC for generations or are a first time audience member, you’ll find everything you need to plan a memorable outing with us.
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