The bottom line: “Leonardo! A Wonderful Show about a Terrible Monster,” the opening show for Seattle Children’s Theatre’s 2026-27 season at Seattle Children’s Theatre, will leave you utterly gobsmacked by its out-of-the-box storytelling and playful stage innovation. Using music, puppets, shadow projections, multiple cameras and an endless number of props, “Leonardo!” is a wondrous show that embodies everything good about independent theater. It encourages viewers of all ages to flip the script and stand up for what they believe is right, even when everyone may be calling them a monster.
Narrator Lily Emerson in SCT’s opening show ‘Leonardo. (Photo by Ben Kauffman)
A Terribly Wonderful Synopsis
Based on two beloved books by Mo Willems (“Leonardo, the Terrible Monster” and “Sam, the Most Scaredy-Cat Kid in the Whole World”), “Leonardo! A Wonderful Show about a Terrible Monster” follows our titular green outcast Leonardo (voiced and operated by puppeteer Kevin Michael Wesson), who’s ashamed that his looks are less fearsome than his monster friends’. His horns are small, his eyes aren’t red, and he can’t scare “the tuna salad out of” anyone. Determined to fit in with his terror-inducing peers, Leonardo sets off to find the biggest scaredy-cat in the world.
That would be Sam (performed by Julia Miller or Hannah Rhode, depending on show date), a young boy who shivers in terror at the mere sight of innocuous objects, like potted plants and mewing cats. After laying on his thickest scares, Leonardo can’t even draw a whimper from Sam, who is too fixated on his own personal troubles.
Frankenthaler is another monster struggling in the scare department. He finds his own scaredy-cat, an anxious kid named Kerry (performed by Leah Casey or Sharaina Latrice Turnage, depending on show date), only to reach a similar result as his pal Leonardo. Approaching their failures with optimism, the two new friends pivot from being “terrible monsters” to “wonderful friends”, a role that is far more rewarding for everyone.
Kerry and Sam with Cloud (Leah Casey, Julia Miller, Lindsey Noel Whiting) in SCT’s ‘Leonardo’ (Photo by Ben Kauffman)
Multi-Media Monster Magnificence
“Leonardo!” is certainly appropriate for all ages. The monsters are very mild and should not be a barrier for any age. It has humor, song, and an easy-to-follow story. Older viewers will appreciate the skill and artistry most, as they understand the incredible detail and talent that go into every moment. Chicago-based visual arts production company Manual Cinema created the show, and the four performers on stage tell the story through multiple modes of artistry and pristine choreography that is a wonder to behold live.
The story is projected onto a screen that hangs above the stage. Audience members could stare only at that screen and enjoy a fully realized narrative. Unlike a pre-edited video, however, the artists create every frame live, using various cameras, practical lighting effects, hand-held puppets, paper cut-outs, props, and camera tricks. At some point, each character transitions from a paper image to a live-action puppet or performance and back, with impeccable control and technical manipulation.
Like its manual storytelling, switching perspectives, cameras, and audience attention to different parts of the stage, “Leonardo!” offers audience members a behind-the-scenes look. I found myself entranced by the magic that simple paper figurines could imbue when angled correctly and projected just the right way. My 6- and 8-year-olds enjoyed the story, though they were not nearly as invested in the “how” as my husband and I were.
Synth music flows throughout the show to accompany this sweet, quirky story and its quirky telling, though Lily Emerson grounds it. She provides the voice acting one monsters and the two kids. She also narrates the show. She’s tasked with singing its musical numbers, playing the guitar and keeping the tempo of the production’s perfectly timed rhythm, flipping between voices without barely a breath in between. Her performance is bewitching. This is the wonder of live theater.
Bring your kids for the heartwarming story about friendship, acceptance and personal autonomy; stay for the truly inventive, mesmerizing stage genius that might have your husband begging for an encore.
Talk about it: Points to discuss before and after the show
- Before: What constitutes a play or musical? What does that look like? What is not “allowed” in a theatrical production?
- Before: Are all monsters inherently scary? What makes a monster scary?
- After: How did “Leonardo!” surprise you? Did it look like a play you’ve seen before?
- After: What parts worked for you? What parts did not? Was it interesting or distracting to have both a screen and the behind-the-scenes production happening at the same time?
Know before you go
- Dates: The show runs through November 1, with a variety of showtimes spanning the morning and evening.
- Runtime: Approximately 45 minutes without an intermission.
- Age Recommendation: age is 3+.
- SL Interpreted Performance: Saturday, October 10 at 11:00 a.m.
- Sensory-Friendly Performance: Sunday, October 17 at 3:00 p.m.
- Location: 201 Thomas Street, Seattle 98109
- Parking: Garage and street parking are available with payment. Give yourself ample time if there is an event at Climate Pledge Arena.
- Tickets: Start at $26. Buy tickets online.
