We imagine it’s been a while since any of you have been to see a real, live puppet show—at least not since that field trip to the Bob Baker Marionette Theater in fifth grade. Indeed, with everyone just waiting to scream “recession” and the SAG strike waiting to (maybe) happen in June, it must be mentioned that puppets still provide entertainment derived from the cheapest possible means. No unions. No histrionics backstage. No drunk-driving arrests. Oscar Wilde knew what we’re talking about. He wrote: “There are many advantages in puppets. They never argue. They have no crude views about art. They have no private lives.” We agree, and we urge you to celebrate the bevy of puppet-related offerings across our fair city this month.
Concrete Folk Variations: Part 1, “Death of a Sugar Daddy”
Think “The Wire”...except now you can see the wires. Puppet-based performance group Manual Archives presents a new serial drama set in the lesbian bars, cop shops and streetcars of McCarthy-era L.A. Imagine a set of surly 1950s cops and robbers and the kind of SoCal intrigue you’d find in a Raymond Chandler novel. “Death of a Sugar Daddy” follows butch beat cop Loretta Salt as she investigates the murder of a society maven who might have worn her “purple” colors deeper than her dress. Part two, “Radio Rodia,” will trace the life of Simon Rodia—builder of the Watts Towers—in April.
Running March 6-22
Mythical Creatures and Characters: “Tales From Around the World”
Remember that Joseph Campbell book you didn’t read in Comp. Lit? Think of this as a history class in puppet form. Featuring wooden works from the Conservatory of Puppet Arts in Pasadena, this exhibit at the Craft and Folk Art Museum wants you to get comfortable with tall tales and the symbols that fill them. The hero, the villain, the young girl in the forest, the wolf dressed as an old lady—you know the drill. Take an afternoon to recall that Hansel and Gretel's famous house of candy probably had more to do with sexual frustration than you realized when you were a toddler.
Through May 18
Strauss Meets Frankenstein
The works of Richard Strauss might put the less, er, cultured of us to sleep. Not in the Long Beach Opera’s one-two production, which—in the first half—fuses ol’ Richard’s dramatic works with “Enoch Arden,” Tennyson’s tale of star-crossed lovers. The second half, the part which concerns us, features “Frankenstein!!,” a work that can only be described as a “pandemonium.” Orange County’s Rogue Artists Ensemble blend their masked performers with thunderous music, digital media and, yes, puppetry. Let’s not forget the puppetry. H. K Gruber’s work for chansonnier and orchestra takes on not only Frankenstein’s monster, but also Miss Dracula, wild vermin, werewolves, and even Batman and Robin—which promises salacious linguistic and physical fare for those willing to read between the lines.
Running March 14-16
Claire Oswalt's “Trustfall” show
Moving from her previous paintings into the realm of “sculptural drawings,” Culver City artist Claire Oswalt has fashioned an armada of papery, puppety dolls invisibly mounted onto wooden backgrounds. The result is a low-tech but “fully functioning” three-dimensional troupe of girls. Also, be on the lookout for the self-explanatory puppet series “I fell in love” somewhere near the back of the exhibit.
Running March 15–April 19
Famous Puppet Death Scenes (pictured, left)
The Old Trout Puppet Workshop—Canadians, all—promises to cure any lingering curiosity you may have regarding death. With a grisly arabesque of puppets meeting their final end, you might be reminded one or two times of Edward Gorey’s “Gashlycrumb Tinies” as men and women made of wood and string re-enact “Edward’s Last Meal” or “Dung Beetle’s Lament” or “Bipsy’s Mistake.” Perfect for malicious types on a date, or a date that might later turn malicious. Just keep in mind that the last breath is only a falling piano—or bite of steak—away.
Running March 20-22
Oh hell. One of our interns just emerged from the bowels of the Times Building’s basement with some unsettling news: There’s already a National Puppetry Day. And it’s April 26. But we hereby decree that 24 hours of puppets is simply Not Good Enough. We’re sticking with March, by Jove. A month for puppets! Not a mere day!
George Ducker is a contributing editor for Metromix Los Angeles.
