Enchanted Strings - by Randal Metz (Hardcover)

About the Book

Since 1963, the Bob Baker Marionette Theater has enchanted families in Los Angeles and beyond with their delightful marionette performances. It isn't fall in Los Angeles without a showing of the Hallowe'en Spooktacular, and no Christmas season is complete without a puppet performance of The Nutcracker. Now, for the first time ever, the visual history of the theater has been captured in the pages of a book, from Bob Baker's earliest days to the theater's transformation into a thriving non-profit. The text describes a theater at the height of its powers, hosting performances for school children and collaborating with Disney on live-action films. The images bring some of the Bob Baker's most beloved shows to life, featuring new and vintage photographs of performances, introducing iconic characters like "The Black Cat" and "Bobo the Clown". This book is perfect for a devotee of the performing arts or anyone who is a child at heart!

Book Synopsis

Step inside a world where imagination dwells!

2022 SILVER Winner for Performing Arts & Music, Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards

Bob Baker Marionette Theater has enchanted families in Los Angeles and beyond with delightful marionette performances since 1963. Enchanted Strings captures the visual history of this palace of puppetry from Bob Baker's earliest days to the theater's transformation into a thriving hub of creative culture. You'll meet the remarkable visual artists and craftspeople who worked alongside him, contributing their talents to build the theater, design the shows, and hand-craft over two thousand incredible marionettes. Archival images and ephemera provide a behind-the-scenes look at Bob's amazing work for Walt Disney and iconic Hollywood films. With more than 300 vintage and contemporary photographs, Enchanted Strings will delight Bob Baker Marionette Theater fans around the world, and fascinate everyone who is a child at heart!

Review Quotes

"The volume's charm lies in its many archival photographs that document the theater's growth over the years and the talent of the artisans who create and manipulate its marionettes. Sketches of the elaborate sets that bring puppet shows to life are also a treat. Today, audiences around the world can watch the theater's popular Halloween and Christmas shows on YouTube, but the book gives readers a glimpse at the magic of attending in person. VERDICT: A solid addition to collections that have a focus on unique art forms and community building through the arts."--Randal Metz "Library Journal"

About the Author

The Bob Baker Marionette Theater was founded in 1963 by Bob Baker and Alton Wood. With over 300 performances a year, utilizing over 2000 handcrafted puppets, the Theater's mission is to educate, celebrate, and inspire imagination through puppetry and the allied arts. The Bob Baker Marionette Theater is proud for having been recognized, nationally and locally, for the skill and dedication of their performers and staff, the craftsmanship of their puppets, and their deep commitment to the city of Los Angeles.