Bob Baker Marionette Theater Presents SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT, 7/17-9/26

In honor of the Bob Baker Marionette Theater's 50th anniversary, the theater continues its special 50th anniversary season with "SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT!" opening July 17 and playing through September 26, 2010. "SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT!" replaces the previously announced "Bob Baker's Circus," which could not resolve all of its production challenges in time for the opening, and is now slated for the 2011 season. The theater will also extend its Special Group Rate and Birthday Party Special for the run of "SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT!" through September.

The Group Rate offers a discount rate of $10 per ticket for an entire Group (minimum of 20 guests pre-paid, absolutely no refunds.) The Birthday Party Special offers a discount rate of $10 per ticket for an entire party. Price of party (including cake, ice cream, and paper service) is separate - please call the theatre for details. Minimum of 20 guests pre-paid, absolutely no refunds.

This special anniversary season at the theater features five of the theater's most beloved productions: "Fiesta," (which played January 19 through April 11),"It's A Musical World," (playing through July 11), "Something To Crow About!," "Bob Baker's Halloween Hoop-De-Do," and just in time for the holidays, "Bob Baker's Nutcracker". This is the first time the Bob Baker Marionette Theater has ever presented this many productions at the theater in one calendar year.

"SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT!" is very special to The Bob Baker Marionette Theater. It was the very first show ever performed in Bob Baker's now famous "In the Round" cabaret style, with the puppeteers not only exposed to the audience, but serving as an integral part of the show.

"SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT!" was in first performed at the Laguna Arts Festival by Bob Baker and his puppeteers over 50 years ago. It's success on the road, (for over three years), prevented it from being the first show to open the Bob Baker Marionette Theater in 1960. However, since its premiere at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater in 1964, it has become one of Bob's most requested shows, along with one of his most requested puppets "Lonely Little Petunia in her Onion Patch".

The production features Mama and Papa Goat and 100 more of the world famous BOB BAKER MARIONETTES enacting a musical "Day on The Farm" you will never forget. Featuring everything from dancing scarecrows to tap dancing bullfrogs warbling "Shine On Harvest Moon", "SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT!" is guaranteed to put a smile on children of all ages!

Every animal on The Farm (along with dancing fireflies and even waltzing laundry!) is featured in an In-The-Round performance...making the audience part of the show. "SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT!" is an hour-long revue. After the performance guests are invited to visit with the Puppeteers and have refreshments in our Party Room.

The Bob Baker Marionette Theater in downtown Los Angeles is the oldest of its kind in the United States and has been entertaining children of all ages since its inception in 1960. At that time, Bob Baker and his business partner Alton Wood turned a scene shop in Los Angeles into the family entertainment landmark that it is today.

Jennifer Steinhauer of The New York Times has described Baker's shows as "a staple of a Los Angeleno childhood. It is the cultural equivalent of the annual march by the nation's third graders to the neighborhood firehouse." On June 3, 2009, The Bob Baker Marionette Theater was declared an historic cultural monument by the city of Los Angeles.

"We have had fifty amazing years right here on First Street, and here's to fifty more!" says Bob Baker, commenting on the occasion of the theater's Golden Anniversary.

The 50th Anniversary season kicked off January 19 with "Fiesta," one of Bob Baker's most requested productions first presented at the theater in 1964, followed by "It's A Musical World," which first opened at the theater in 1978, and is currently plying through July 11. Following ""SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT!" "Bob Baker's Halloween Hoop-De-Do" will arrive in time for Halloween 2010, and play October 1 through October 31. Another one of the theater's perennial favorites, "Bob Baker's Halloween Hoop-De-Do" first played the theater in 1963.

The season will come to a close with the holiday classic, "Bob Baker's Nutcracker," playing November 6 through January 16, 2011. This marionette version of the legendary ballet has been one of Bob's most requested holiday productions since it was first presented in 1965.

Bob Baker first became interested in puppetry at the age of five, and has since become an innovator, artist, puppet master, and top-notch animator with credits in television and film.

His marionettes have entertained thousands of children and adults worldwide over the years. Mr. Baker has a current inventory of over three thousand puppets, with just about everything from robots that light up, to dancing frogs, to egg laying chickens.

Bob began to learn the magic of puppetry at the early age of eight. He trained with several different local companies and put his skills to work with his first professional performance for director Mervyn LeRoy.

While attending Hollywood High School, Bob began manufacturing toy marionettes that sold both in Europe and the United States. Fifty of the finest department stores in the country carried his line including Bullocks Wilshire, Saks Fifth Avenue, Niemen Marcus, FAO Schwarz, and Marshall Fields. After graduation at the age of eighteen, he began his extensive career in animation at the George Pal Studios. He began as an apprentice and soon became a head animator of "Puppetoons" a year later.

After WWII, Bob served as an animation advisor at many film studios including Walt Disney.

As a puppeteer his prestigious credits include the films: "A Star Is Born", "G.I. Blues," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", "Escape to Witch Mountain," and "Bedknobs and Broomsticks", as well as work on countless television series and projects. Baker has performed with the likes of Judy Garland, Elvis Presley, and Angela Lansbury.

Aside from running the theater, Baker maintains an active role in the company's traveling shows. Bob has taken his marionettes to countless fairs, puppet festivals, and of course, birthday parties. The Bob Baker Marionettes have entertained audiences in Las Vegas, Toronto, New York, Germany, and have even performed on Navy ships and submarines.

Mr. Baker is the former president of the Los Angeles Puppet Guild and Governor of the Television Arts & Sciences Animation Branch and currently sits on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. His dream of establishing a school began with the formation of the non-profit group "The Academy of Puppetry and Allied Arts." Although his goal of a refurbished theater complex complete with training facilities is still a long way off, Bob Hopes with the aid of civic leaders and corporate sponsors, his academy will one day be a reality.

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