‘Library Lion’ Is As Much a Delight for Grownups as It Is For Kids

January 20, 2026April 8, 2026 Shelley SackettLeave a comment

Cast of Adam Theater’s ‘Library Lion’ at BCA Calderwood Pavilion January 10-25
Photos by Nile Scott Studios

‘Library Lion’ — Adapted from the book “Library Lion” by Michelle Knudsen and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. Directed by Ran Bechor. Book and Lyrics by Eli Bejaoui; Music by Yoni Rechter and Roy Friedman; Songs composed by Yoni Rechter; Puppet Design & Build by Jim Henson Creature Shop. Scenic Design by Cameron Anderson; Costume Design by Ula Shebchuv; Lighting Design by Daniel H. Jentzen; Sound Design by Irene Wang. Presented by Adam Theater at The Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont St., Boston through Jan. 25.

By Shelley A. Sackett

Last Sunday, I was probably the only adult at the noon performance of Library Lion unaccompanied by kids and/or grandkids. For 70 uninterrupted minutes, I was treated to an uplifting, high-quality production of one of the most delightful musical shows I’ve seen in a while. Plus, I had the dual luxuries of watching a room full of youngsters and eavesdropping on their comments without having to be “in charge” of any of them.

A Therapy Session Becomes a Cat-and-Mouse Thriller in SpeakEasy’s ‘Job’

January 19, 2026April 8, 2026 Shelley SackettLeave a comment

Josephine Moshiri Elwood and Dennis Trainor Jr. in Speakeasy Stage’s ‘JOB’
Photos by Benjamin Rose Photography

‘Job’ — Written by Max Wolf Friedlich. Directed by Marianna Bassham. Scenic Design by Peyton Tavares; Lighting Design by Amanda E. Fallon; Sound Design by Lee Schuna; Costume Design by E. Rosser. Presented by SpeakEasy Stage Co., Calderwood Pavilion, Boston, through Feb. 7.

By Shelley A. Sackett

Playwright Max Wolf Friedlich wastes no time establishing the life-or-death stakes in his two-person thriller, Job. The lights come up in media res. A woman holds a gun pointed directly at a man’s head. Jane (Josephine Moshiri Elwood) is shaking, enraged and desperate. Lloyd (Dennis Trainor, Jr.), clearly shaken, holds a clipboard and a pen. “Let’s just talk this through,” Lloyd entreats, right before the first of many, many abrupt blackouts, flashes and eerie sounds.

Adam Theater’s “Library Lion” Roars Triumphantly

January 18, 2026April 8, 2026 Charlotte Snow2 Comments

‘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.

Short Take: “Wonder” Delivers a Joyful Ride to a Kinder Landscape

January 3, 2026April 8, 2026 Michele MarkarianLeave a comment

Garrett McNally and Donovan Louis Bazemore in ‘Wonder’ at the A.R.T.
Photos by Hawver and Hall

“Wonder”. Book by Sarah Ruhl. Music and Lyrics by A Great Big World (Ian Axel and Chad King). Directed by Taibi Magar. Presented by American Repertory Theater, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge, through February 8.

By Michele Markarian

“I like ice cream, outer space and video games,” Auggie (Garrett McNally), a typical seventh grader, tells us at the beginning of “Wonder”. Auggie, however, has a facial difference that sets him apart from other kids, making him a target of bullying and ostracization. For years, his mother, Isabel (Alison Luff), has been homeschooling him, but now she fears he has more to learn than what she can teach him. To counter this, Isabel has enrolled Auggie in middle school, much to his dismay. While his oversized space helmet and invisible friend Moonboy (Nathan Salstone) keep him feeling safe at home, they won’t serve Auggie well at school. Auggie’s sister Via (Kaylin Hedges) is also on edge. As the sibling of someone whose facial differences account for a lot of his parents’ attention, Via doesn’t always get her fair share; the fact that her best friend Miranda (Paravi) isn’t speaking to her for unknown reasons doesn’t help. Miranda, as it turns out, is having a hard time dealing with her parents’ divorce. As one of Auggie’s teachers, Mr. Browne (Raymond J. Lee) likes to say, “Be kind, for everyone is fighting an invisible battle.”