The Bob Baker Marionette Theater in Los Angeles is debuting its first new production in 45 years, titled 'Choo Choo Revue,' after shifting away from a previously planned show, 'Arabian Nights,' that was spearheaded by the late founder Bob Baker. The new show features original puppets like a pelican-frog duo and is directed by Alex Evans, who also serves as co-executive director. The theater recently announced its intent to purchase its Highland Park venue for $5 million and performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where the show sold out its first week.
This production matters because it marks a generational transition for the historic theater, moving from a focus on Baker's singular vision to a collaborative effort by its current artists and fabricators. After facing existential threats—including being forced out of its longtime downtown home in 2019 and relying on community fundraising during the pandemic—the theater's ability to launch a new show and pursue venue ownership signals a renewed stability and creative evolution. 'Choo Choo Revue' is both a statement of survival and an assertion that the institution can thrive beyond its founder's legacy.