ALONG COMES MARY

December has been a warm month for Los Angeles. In other years, I’ve been found wearing beanie hats and scarves. This one? More like shorts and even tank tops. We’ve been enjoying the season, but at times it’s felt a little lacking. Cruising neighborhoods for twinkling lights with the air conditioning on doesn’t scream “Christmas.” Thank goodness for Bob Baker’s Marionette Theater’s annual production of the Nutcracker. We attended this past weekend, and it truly reminded me of how lucky I am to live in LA.

We’re no strangers to Bob Baker’s Marionettes. Mabel first discovered the magic of the theater’s puppetry when she was two years old. Back in the spring, we had a blast at their annual festival held at LA State Historic Park. The Nutcracker is once again performing at the Sierra Madre Playhouse after a successful debut run last year.  The venue, with its velvet seats and red curtains, is an ideal space for the precious production.

Bob Baker’s Marionettes Perform the Nutcracker

Bob Baker’s Marionettes debuted the Nutcracker in 1969. Several of the marionettes date back to that original production. The puppeteers, as always, do an incredible job at bringing the characters to life.

The show features beloved characters of the Nutcracker like Clara, Fred, the Rat King, and Sugarplum Fairy. Along with famous songs from the ballet, there are other favorites including Welcome Christmas from How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

The Waltz of the Flowers dazzles the audience with its vibrant colors and lighting effects. In the second-to-last scene, the Nutcracker had Mabel exclaiming “rock and roll!” as the curtain went down.

Most Nutcracker performances can be long for the kiddos. I’ve been hesitant to take Mabel to any shows with more than one act. Bob Baker’s Marionettes perform this exhilarating Nutcracker in 58 minutes. It’s the perfect way to introduce kids to classical ballet.

Explore Sierra Madre

Just like at their Highland Park location, each show ends with a surprise. Free ice cream in the lobby for all attendees. We had such a lovely time enjoying our treat before exploring Sierra Madre. The small town nestled in the San Gabriel Valley, just outside of Pasadena and Arcadia, is always festive for the holidays.

A gorgeous trimmed tree and nativity scene take center stage at the town square. Most of the shop windows are painted merrily, giving a “throwback” feel to the close-knit town. I always think of Gilmore Girls’ Stars Hollow when I’m in Sierra Madre.

I cannot recommend Bob Baker’s Marionettes’ Nutcracker enough. Performances will go on through January fourth. You can also catch their Winter Wonderland show at the Highland Park theater. Get all of the info HERE.

Happy Holidays!