The Onions In The Petunia Patch, Bob Baker Marionette Theater, Los Angeles, 1957.
Twin crying onions sing back up for a hankie holding half woman/half petunia in front of a plastic flowered picket fence on a fancy front porch. Welcome to the world of Baker!
Over the past couple of months the survivability of the Bob Baker Marionette Theater has been in question. This was brought to the attention of readers of the NY and LA Times and many other publications after, apparently, someone outside the puppet palace/mansion of marionettes and castle of creativity sent out a press release stating that Bob was going to lose the building and needed umpteen thousand dollars to keep the well-worn red velvet curtain from coming down forever. Well, when I heard this, my Bob Baker-puppet-show-lovin-heart skipped more than a beat. Reporters started calling me asking me what was going on. I duuno! All I know is that Bob Baker has magical powers. But nothing lasts forever. Many fine folks are responding with donations. THANK YOU!
The Bob Baker Marionette Theater is one of the most wonderful, bizarre time warp-ish places I’ve ever been. When you walk in the door you ask yourself “What decade am I in?” Then the show starts and…well, its difficult to explain. You’re in another world- Bob Baker’s world. It’s kind of hypnotic. You might even get creeped out a little. That’s part of the fun! . It’s definitely the “Fantasyland” of Downtown Los Angeles. And to think that shows have been happening there for 50 years. If this place isn’t an Americana institution of the highest order and Bob Baker isn’t an Americana hero of the highest order then I don’t know what and who is! How many people do you know that found their life’s work at the age of eight and are still at it seventy-seven years later? Not many, right? And it’s all from the heart. He is a king of creativity; dean of arts and crafts. After all, his puppets didn’t make themselves.
Please join me to celebrate BOB BAKER’S 85th BIRTHDAY this FEBRUARY 6 and 7, 2009 at his landmark downtown LA, theater. I will be your host for the evening telling the story of Bob’s life and career with slides and film clips following a special performance of “Something to Crow About,” Bob Baker’s classic 1957 barnyard-themed musical starring dozens of his vintage one-of-a-kind marionettes. After the final act– a very special performance by the master himself – birthday cake and ice cream will be served in the festive party room. Your imagination will be inspired and your spirit will soar!
Here’s to Bob Baker, his theater, the puppets and YOU!
I hope it stays open.
I think I recall seeing him in your Disneyland tour youtube video.
Bob Baker just performed at my daughter’s special needs school in Anaheim. Not only did he light up the lives of the children but his magic brought happiness to everyone who watched his show, me included. He is a kind soft spoken man with a magical show. Thank you Bob Baker.