Adam Theater, Boston’s nonprofit professional theater company dedicated to artistically high-quality theater productions that resonate with young audience members, brings its acclaimed play “Library Lion” to the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts on Tremont Street in the South End for a two-week-plus run from Jan. 10-25.
Based on Michelle Knudsen’s best-selling book and directed by Adam Artistic Director Ran Bechor, the production features live music and a striking life-size lion puppet created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. “Library Lion” tells a warm, imaginative story about curiosity, friendship, and when it’s okay to bend the rules.
The cast includes actors Robert Saoud (as Mr. McBee), Jayden Declet (Michelle), Aaron Mancaniello (Kevin), Janis Hudson (Ms. Merriweather) and Clara Hevia (Storyteller). Puppeteers operating a life-sized lion puppet are Sophie Kauffman, Sydney Grant and Sarah Nolen. Live music will be performed by Ori Raz (piano), Thiago Wolf (cello) and Julia Spretty (clarinet, flute and saxophone).
Adam Theater was established in 2023 with a mission to nurture a lifelong love of theater among children, and to celebrate universal values. Bechor, who directs the performance, says Library Lion exemplifies the company’s imaginative approach to storytelling. The musical play reimagines Knudsen’s wise and touching story about friendship and rules, he says.
“Michelle’s wonderful book uses the fantastical idea of a character onto whom others place expectations and preconceptions that get upended,” Bechor says. “That idea is the basis for so many stories told to children around the globe; it made sense to broaden the book world of Library Lion using those influences.”
Executive Director Karin Sharav Zalkind says the group aims to create theater that introduces children to the “dilemmas, heroes, obstacles and friends” they encounter in their lives. “Theater encourages children to develop empathy and helps them explore and make sense of complex questions and situations that happen in their lives,” Zalkind says.
It plays Saturdays and Sundays Jan. 10-25, with family-friendly daytime performances. Two school vacation shows (Martin Luther King Day) will be held Monday Jan. 19. Performance times are: Saturdays at 2 and 5 p.m.; Sundays at noon and 3 p.m.; and Monday, Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are $45-$85 and available now at bostontheatrescene.com.
In the wings
JAN JAM AT SEACOAST REP: The Underground at Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth, N. H. brings back two of its most popular shows for two shows each for the 2nd annual Jan Jam. Fleetwood Rep kicks things off on Friday Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday Jan. 10 at 2 p.m., with the music of Fleetwood Mac and the solo career of Stevie Nicks. The Underground then shifts gears and blasts off for a galactic adventure with Mercury Stardust, celebrating the music of David Bowie and Queen on Saturday, Jan. 10 and Sunday, Jan. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Whether you were there for the shows during their first launch or are experiencing the magic of both for the first time it will be a weekend to remember. For tickets and info, visit .ovationtix.com/35751/store/packages.
Nancye Tuttle’s email is [email protected]
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