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"Library Lion," based on one of Time Magazine's 100 Best Children's Books of All Time by Michelle Knudsen, had its inaugural show premiere as a site-specific theater production at the Boston Public Library. The musical play, featuring a cast of five actors, three musicians and three puppeteers operating a puppet designed by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. Now, the show is being performed at Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont Street, January 10 – January 19, 2025

Library Lion

A musical play to be staged at the Calderwood Pavilion  | Boston, MA January 2025!

Library Lion Michelle Knudsen & Kevin Hawkes
Time Magazine Best 100 Children Book of all times
Boston Public Library
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In the library, there are books. But also very clear rules: no shouting, no running, no eating or drinking. But what happens when one day a lion enters the library?

 

He doesn't roar or rampage, and contrary to expectations, he peacefully joins storytelling hour. Not everyone is okay with this, after all, he doesn't abide by the rules. (A lion? In the library? – that's completely out of order!) It will be revealed that rules are important to follow, but not only that: That it is also very important, to dust off some of these rule books as well. 

 

Prepare for a theatrical experience that will roar its way into your heart. Don't miss this enchanting adaptation, where stories come alive and where even the wildest of guests might just find a place to belong.

Ages:  4+
Duration: 70 minutes
Theater Premiere: Calderwood Pavilion, Boston January 2025 

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”A gift for any child”

Read the full review by Joan Lancourt on ArtsFuse.org

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The Culture Show Podcast

Catch our conversation on The Culture Show Podcast -we’re on just after Hannah Gadsby, starting at the 17-minute mark!

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Michelle Knudsen’s ‘Library Lion’ roars from page to stage

Read the full review by Haley Clough Globe Correspondent

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'Library Lion' Gets Musical Treatment from New Children's Theater

Read the full review by By Sally Lodge for publishersweekly.com

Production Team

Playwright | Eli Bijaoui
Director | Ran Bechor
Music | Yoni Rechter
Set Design | Cameron Anderson
Puppet Design & Build | Jim Henson's Creature Shop
Movement Puppet Director | Kate Brehm 
Costume Design | Ula Shebchuv
Props | Anna Vidergar
Music Arranger | Roy Friedman

Musical Director | Yuval Gur

Based on the English Translation | M.Rodgers and A.Berris
Lyric Translation | Vivian Eden 
Lyric Translation ‘Oh Library’  | Ido Keren 
Producer | Wanda Strukus
Strategy Advisors  | BroadBand Collaborative
Pianist | Tomer Sne, Matan Yosef
Additional Music | Roy Friedman, Yuval Gur, Tomer Sne

 

Production Team
Calderwood Pavilion,Wimberly Theater

Opening January, 2025

Based on Michelle Knudsen children's book, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

Playwright | Eli Bijaoui

Director | Ran Bechor

⁠Songs composed | Yoni Rechter
Music‭ |  ‬Yoni Rechter‭ ‬&‭ ‬Roy Friedman

Set Design | Cameron Anderson

Puppet Design & Build | Jim Henson Creature Shop

Puppet & Movement Director | Kate Brehm

Lighting Design | Christopher Ostrom

Costume Design | Ula Shebchuv

Musical Arrangement | Roy Friedman

Musical Director | Alon Yavnai

Props | Emma Whiteside

Scenery Build | Infinity Productions LLC

Sound Designer | Alexander Gage Baker

Based on the English Translation | M.Rodgers‭ ‬&‭ ‬A.Berris

Lyric Translation | Vivian Eden, Lyric Translation ‘Oh Library’ | Ido Keren

 

Producer | Jennie M‭. ‬Jadow‭ ‬

Production Stage Manager | Lisette van den Boogaard

Additional Music & Rehearsal Stage Manager | Tomer Sne

Production Manager | Claire Morse

Technical Director | Jason Ries

Production Electrician |‭ ‬Lawrence A‭. ‬Ware

 

Strategy Advisors  | BroadBand Collaborative, Marketing | Ameba Marketing

Public Relations | CBH Communications, Development Strategy | Tali Cherizli

Set Design Assistant | Michelle Lilly‭, ‬Saskia Martínez
ASM & Wardrobe | Natasha Newcomb‭

ASM | Jack Douglas Riter
Graphic Designer | Shine Horovits, Olga Getmansky

Production Team
Boston Public Library

Opening September, 2024

Inspired by work at the Boston Public Library, this production was made possible by the talent and dedication of the original team. We thank them sincerely.

Based on Michelle Knudsen children's book, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

Playwright | Eli Bijaoui

Director | Ran Bechor

Music | Yoni Rechter

Set Design | Cameron Anderson

Puppet Design & Build | Jim Henson Creature Shop

Puppet & Movement Director | Kate Brehm

Lighting Design | Dan Jentzen

Costume Design | Ula Shebchuv

Musical Arrangement | Roy Friedman

Props | Anna Vidergar‭, ‬Ofri‭ ‬Levinson

Musical Director | Yuval Gur

Based on the English Translation | M.Rodgers‭ ‬&‭ ‬A.Berris

Lyric Translation | Vivian Eden, Lyric Translation ‘Oh Library’ | Ido Keren

Scenery Build | J‭. ‬Pizzuti

Additional Music | Roy Friedman‭, ‬Yuval Gur‭, ‬Tomer Sne

 

Piano | Matan Yosef, Woodwind | Joe LaRocca‭,‬ Cello | Thiago Wolf

 

Producer | Wanda Strukus

Production Manager | Patsy Collins Bandes

Production Stage Manager | Lisette van den Boogaard

Rehearsal Stage Manager | Tomer Sne

Strategy Advisors | BroadBand Collaborative, Marketing | Ameba Marketing

Public Relations | CBH Communications, Social Media | Channing Rion

Development Strategy | Tali Cherizli, Production support | Jazzmine Bonner

Run Crew | Erin Field‭, ‬Natasha Newcomb‭, ‬Jack Douglas Riter