L.A. marionette theater granted landmark status

Puppeteer Steve Meltzer presents one of his marionettes to City Councilman Bill Rosendahl and his colleagues in City Council chambers.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Christine Papalexis, with the Los Angeles Guild of Puppetry, presents her puppet Taffy to council members. Baker’s theater at 1345 W. 1st St. is a former movie scenery shop that Baker and a partner purchased in 1961 and turned into a theater a year later. It has staged puppet shows six days a week ever since, said Lanna Pian, a Lomita resident representing the Los Angeles Conservancy.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

A marionette operated by puppeteer Steve Meltzer makes his case.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Christine Papalexis, with Los Angeles Guild of Puppetry, operates her marionette Taffy at the Los Angeles City Council chambers in support of historic cultural status for the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. The theater also houses the nonprofit Academy of Puppetry and Allied Arts, where high school students are taught the art of puppetry.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles City Councilman Ed Reyes, left, congratulates Richard Wilson of the Los Angeles Guild of Puppetry, after the theater is granted landmark status.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The puppets danced and pranced in the chambers and around the City Council’s ornate horseshoe-shaped desk before officials voted 14-0 to place the theater on the city’s landmark list.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)