Los Angeles’ history told by marionettes in ‘Hooray LA’
POSTER PRESENTING the newest show features The Brown Derby, Cotton Club and other iconic spots. Art by Hayden Evans
A visual history of Los Angeles in puppet form is coming to town starting Sat., July 1. Bob Baker Marionette Theater (BBMT) is performing “Hooray LA,” which began as “Ole LA” for the Los Angeles Bicentennial in 1981.
For this newest iteration, BBMT created its biggest puppet yet — two dragons that make up the Chinatown gateway. BBMT also collaborated with the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County to fabricate a lifelike woolly mammoth. In addition, the theater artists created a P-22 marionette, honoring the late, famous mountain lion that roamed Griffith Park.
The performance showcases disco dancing clubs, Venice Beach rollerskating and iconic locations throughout the city.
The show is the last original creation of Bob Baker, who was born and raised here in the City of Angels. This version has been updated to present a more accurate historical and cultural profile of Los Angeles than the version presented as part of the 200th birthday celebration of the City of Los Angeles in 1981. See a related story about changing cultural and historical sensitivities in our September 2019 issue’s “Around the Town” mentioning the 1981 Barbara Carrasco mural soon to be installed permanently at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History.
The BBMT show runs through Sun., Sept. 10, at the theater in Highland Park, 4949 York Blvd. Tickets are $25 per person. Visit bobbakermarionettetheater.com to reserve your seat.
Category: Entertainment
