50 x 20 x 10 inches. Courtesy of Bob Baker Marionette Theater
Bob Baker Marionette Theater: 60 Years of Joy & Wonder is a retrospective exhibition that examines the beauty and history of a beloved Los Angeles institution. Approximately 100 artifacts belonging to the theater and its founder are included in the exhibit, including udes hand-crafted marionettes, original concept art, archival photographs, an animatronic band, and more.
Bob Baker began creating puppets as a child in the 1930s, and he opened his permanent marionette theater in 1963. The exhibition begins with a look at Baker’s early years as a puppeteering prodigy, and it follows his career and the development of the theater over the course of several decades. Bob Baker passed away in 2014 at the age of 90, but the organization continues to thrive. The exhibition concludes with a look at Baker’s enduring legacy and recent creations from the Bob Baker Puppet Workshop.
The theater, which has entertained generations of Angelenos, will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2023. There’s an opening event that includes free exhibition tours, complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and marionette performances. Musical guest, Timothy Nordwind of OK Go, will play vintage records from the Bob Baker Music Library.
Bob Baker Marionette Theater: 60 Years of Joy & Wonder | Forest Lawn Museum | opening, Oct 20 5 – 7 pm | rsvp: museum@forestlawn.com