For the first time in four decades, the Bob Baker Marionette Theater has debuted an entirely new production. The “Choo-Choo Revue” is the new show from the company, bringing over 100 newly crafted puppets to the stage. This hour-long show, presented through the train window of BBMT’s stage, takes you in a journey across rolling hills, mountainous peaks, and dazzling deserts.
Puppeteers dressed in the theater’s signature red outfits maneuver a varied cast of new characters, including a singing mushrooms, and a cicada jugband. The new show aims to keep the craft of puppeteering alive while meticulously preserving the unique aesthetic established by Bob Baker.
Behind the production
Building the “Choo-Choo Revue” was a large-scale undertaking for the theater’s workshop. To bring the new puppets to life and construct the detailed sets, the production team used hundreds of miles of monofilament for the strings. The character designs and scenery also required 90 yards of fringe and 232 gallons of paint.
The performance takes place on the theater’s classic stage, framed by red curtains and illuminated by chandeliers, maintaining the traditional immersive atmosphere for the audience.
Bob Baker’s enduring LA legacy
Bob Baker was a Los Angeles legendary puppeteer, animator and designer. Over his long career, he created thousands of hand-crafted puppets, worked on film and TV projects for studios like Disney, and helped transform the theater into what is now considered the longest continuously running puppet theater in the United States. Named an official Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 2009, the Theater has served over more than 1 million children with original shows!
🎉 The Choo-Choo Revue show is open now and will run through August 30!
📍Bob Baker Marionette Theater on 4949 York Blvd
