The holidays are here, and you can find versions of the Nutcracker everywhere, but you will have to go to the Sierra Madre Playhouse to see one of the most unique Nutcrackers in the metropolitan Los Angeles area. The performances run through January 5, 2025, and it is family fun that you don’t want to miss.
The show was originally created in 1969 and renovated for the 2024 special presentation at the Sierra Madre Playhouse. It was performed with hand-and-rod puppets, a type of puppet that is controlled by the puppeteer’s hands and rods. It is a style of puppet developed by Jim Henson that is controlled by both hands in which the dominant hand goes into the head of the puppet, operating the mouth, and at times, facial features. Arm rods, thin rods connected to the puppets hand or arms are controlled by the puppeteer’s less dominant hand. Since that time, the puppets and sets have been transformed into a “fanciful dreamscape with large-scale marionettes and intricate sets.”
Bob Baker’s Marionette Theatre – The Nutcracker – Photo by Winona Bechtle.
From the moment you enter the Sierra Madre Playhouse you feel a warm welcome as you are greeted by a series of beautiful smiles and happy “hellos.” A young woman gives the audience the dos and don’ts finishing with “no touching” if the puppets come into the audience. The theater is intimate and the excitement of all in attendance can be felt. There are no bad seats because wherever you sit you can see the entire stage. As the lights go down and the shadow orchestra begins to play, the children of all ages, from babies in strollers to new teenagers, immediately quiet down captivated by the puppet conductor.
The recorded narration begins and the entire stage is transformed into a montage of bright Christmas reds and greens, candy canes, and a shiny disco ball twinkling. The music is certainly Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker that we all know and love but this music accompaniment has some twists and curves that are new. An eclectic group of artists including but not limited to, The London Symphony Orchestra, Spike Jones & His City Slickers, Fred Waring & The Pennsylvanians, Emerson, Lake & Palmer brought a fresh new sound to the music.
Bob Baker’s Marionette Theatre – The Nutcracker – Photo by Winona Bechtle.
It is hard not to notice the puppeteers in their Christmas red shirts and pants but little by little with the help of the brightly colored sets, lighting, the choreography, and the actual puppets your focus settles onto the puppets. By the end of the program, you almost don’t notice the puppeteers. The elaborate sugar plum fairies and the clouds appeared to float across the stage. The blue dog with the ears that flew up seemed to have a mind of his own. At one point the stage was very dark and I became frustrated trying to see but in a flash the chandeliers popped on and the gasp of the audience was audible as the stage was transformed into a grand ballroom.
Bob Baker’s Marionette Theatre – The Nutcracker – Photo by Winona Bechtle.
A very, very, very large puppet in a gown fit for the MET Gala welcomed the audience to a celebration that featured dancing chefs, ice skaters, animated musical instruments, flowers swaying, and a mandolin player. The puppeteers did an amazing job with the fast and fancy footwork of the musical instruments. The celebration began to come to an end with a rock band of candy canes complete with a drummer and pianist. Music, lighting, and the bed appearing to hover as the lights slowly dim, and the narrator talks about winkin,’ blinkin’ and nod and Clara is home and Bob Baker’s Nutcracker come to an end.
Bob Baker’s Marionette Theatre – The Nutcracker – Photo courtesy of BBMT.
The production was a very fast hour without an intermission. While I thoroughly enjoyed this family friendly production, the gift was the squeals of delight and cheers of the children. Just when we thought it was time to leave, one of the puppeteers loudly proclaimed, “We have a surprise for you. Some of the puppets will come out to the front of the theatre to meet you and we have ice cream for everyone!” In the afterword of the book, Enchanted Strings Bob Baker Marionette Theater, is referred to as a “congregation of imagination.” As audience members mingled with puppets and enjoyed ice cream and passersby stopped to talk, it felt like a happy holiday community…a congregation of imagination. There are 50 performances in the run. Bring family and friends and take an hour to bask in the fun of this yuletide presentation!
Performances of Bob Baker’s Nutcracker run through January 5, 2025 at the Sierra Madre Playhouse. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit they website.
For more information about Bob Baker’s Marionette Theatre, please visit their website.
Written by Leah Bass-Baylis for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Bob Baker’s Marionette Theatre – The Nutcracker – Photo by Winona Bechtle.
