Photos by Nile Scott Studios
‘Library Lion’ – Based on the book by Michelle Knudsen. Book and Lyrics by Eli Bejaoui. Music by Yoni Rechter and Roy Friedman. Song Composition by Yoni Rechter. Directed by Ran Bechor. Stage Management from Kendyl Trott. Puppet Design and Build by Jim Henson Creature Shop. Puppet and Movement Direction by Kate Brehm. Scenic Design by Cameron Anderson. Lighting Design by Daniel H. Jentzen. Adam Theater’s ‘Library Lion’ runs from January 10th to January 25th at the Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116.
By Charlotte Snow
If you ask any working theatre professional, “When did you first fall in love with theatre?” Many will answer “as a child,” having either seen or been in a Theatre for Young Audiences play. TYA may, in fact, be the invisible backbone responsible for (and continues to) uplift theater culture. At its worst, theatre for young audiences panders to kids and is insufferable to adults. At its best, it strengthens the bond between kids and adults while delivering a positive message along with a spoonful of whimsy. I’m happy to report that Adam Theater’s Library Lion falls into the latter category.
The production now running at the Calderwood Pavilion is a remount that first premiered in 2024 at the appropriately site-specific Boston Public Library. Now in its third year, the show continues to entertain thousands of children and adults alike.
The story follows the good-hearted but uptight librarian Mr. McBee (Robert Saoud), who zealously follows the library’s three rules: no shouting, no food or drinks, and no running. If Mr. McBee thought his hands were full with two precocious kids, Michelle (Jayden Declet) and Kevin (Aaron Manmacaniello), his world really gets flipped upside down when a lion wanders into the library. While everyone else welcomes Lion with open arms, McBee is less than thrilled to have a feline patron.
Director Ran Bechor strikes a wonderful balance, honoring the play’s sillier, zanier moments while also adding dashes of Spielberg-esque moments of childish wonder and earned sentimentality. The incredible scope of Cameron Anderson’s set and the versatility of Daniel H. Jentzen’s lighting played an invaluable role in shaping this tone. The cast does a stellar job of maintaining this delicate tonal balance and never falling into caricature. At its emotional center, Robert Saoud’s Mr. McBee is a standout and someone you could bump into at a library.
The three-person band, composed of Ori Raz on piano, Julie Spretty on woodwinds, and Thiago Wolf on cello, was small but mighty, adding an added atmosphere to the play. The underscoring for the silent protagonist was a highlight − the Lion’s entrances were marked by a jaunty, understated tune that never failed to land with the audience.
The true star of Library Lion is the beautifully designed and realized Lion puppet, built by the Jim Henson Creature Shop and operated by the very talented ensemble of Sarah Nolen, Sophie Kaufman, and Sydney Grant. The Lion moved with the grace and power you’d expect from the king of the jungle, but with a deep stoicism and wisdom befitting a philosopher– or at least someone who owns a library card. Just seeing him move about the stage is worth the price of admission, given that it’s rare that you see a puppet from the Jim Henson Creature Shop in a local production.
The play had the perfect run-time − not too long for kids or too short for adults, striking a perfect middle ground. The catchiness of the songs may vary, but I left the theater singing “there’s a lion in the library” and woke up the next morning reprising it. Adam Theater’s mission to create a “contemporary theatre for young audiences, dedicated to making high-quality theatre accessible to children” was fulfilled. A story about children discovering the magic of the library helped this reviewer remember the magic of live theatre. For tickets and information, go to: https://www.adamtheater.org/
