Bob Baker Marionette Theater

The oldest children's theater company in Los Angeles is the Bob Baker Marionette Theater, which was established by Bob Baker and Alton Wood in 1963. The theater was named a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in June 2009. The theater relocated to a new, permanent location at 4949 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042, at the beginning of 2019.

The Bob Baker Marionette Theater moved from its historic location in Downtown Los Angeles to a 1920s silent movie theater in Highland Park in 2019 after obtaining 501(c)3 non-profit status. The new location has been turned into "The Place Where Imagination Dwells," using inspiration from Bob Baker's initial renderings. The Bob Baker Marionette Theater is home to El Cine, a nonprofit organization that promotes Latinx culture through film, in addition to serving as a venue for BBMT events. BBMT and El Cine commonly work with regional, traveling film clubs, such as La Collectionneuse (a Franco-centric club). A marionette show and a movie screening are frequent features of these gatherings. Speakers, musicians, and receptions with beverages and discussion afterward are occasionally included.

Puppet shows are the epitome of childhood fun, and the longest-running marionette theater in the country definitely delivers. Despite Bob's passing and the theater's relocation from Westlake to Highland Park, its allure hasn't changed: The high level of kitsch—original puppets that are often worn out, corny old songs, and sorbet-colored décor—only enhances the famous atmosphere. Children genuinely like seeing the marionettes come to life in the theater's dim environment. Around Halloween and Christmas, a variety of holiday-themed performances are extremely popular.

Google Rating: 4.8/5.0

Location: 4949 York Boulevard, Los Angeles 90042
Contact: www.bobbakermarionettetheater.com

Phone: 213-250-9995