Dead Man's Bones in LA.

Dead Man’s Bones, a band getting buzz in part because of Oscar Nominated Actor Ryan Gosling’s involvement, is about to perform with a puppet show and children’s choir. Formed with his friend and fellow actor, Zach Shields, this is the second of three shows in Los Angeles before they pack up to tour Canada and the US.

Sitting on the floor in the middle of Bob Baker Marionette Theater, surrounded on all sides by red theatre curtains with gold & silver bows, the place hasn’t filled up yet – but seems comfortably full. The old –timey music and atmosphere reminds me more of a show I might see at Circus World in Wisconsin Dells than Downtown Los Angeles. The young female contingent has come out to support the effort in force, and many of them will someday be allowed into Spaceland. Gosling seems relaxed before the show and peeks his head out behind the curtain, eager to share what he has up his sleeve. We are treated to an opening act of a duo that play Somewhere Over The Rainbow on what I believe to be a vibraphone and theremin.

Enter the Zombie kids. Dressed in white face paint and skeleton costumes, the 25 or so kids take their place off stage right to the duo’s rendition of The Willy Wonka song, Pure Imagination. The kids range from very young to perhaps early teens; and they seem a bit nervous. With the choir assembled, we are greeted by a drunken marionette; who appears from behind the red curtain. The apparent host of the evening clad in a black & white plaid suit, straw hat, and cane trips over his words with hiccups.

The curtain opens to reveal Gosling and the band back lit by a colorful backdrop of a haunted house and rolling hills. The effect is special. As the marionettes take the stage, and sing along to the music, I realize I have never seen anything quite like this.

The children’s choir quickly leaves all their nerves behind and gets into the performance with their voice and body. In The Room Where you Sleep is delivered with feeling, and the puppeteers do a phenomenal job of keeping the marionettes animated (I’m not going to tell you what happens to the pretty lady marionette).
The collaboration between the children and band is especially fun to watch. Gosling and Shields help cue the children when it is time for them to sing with a nod or a thumbs up; they lead a cheer of “Z-O-M-B-I-E,” and encourage them to dance. This has to be the first time I’ve seen a six year old do the worm.

There are only moments in the production where Gosling is the center of attention. Channeling Tom Waits and Elvis Presley in a few spots, you can tell he loves music and believes in this project. This is an ensemble piece. Shields along with the other members of the band deliver in music and energy.

This is a really fun project, and I hope everyone gets to see it if it comes your way. The combination of seasoned professionals and children make for a fun – spontaneous atmosphere; and ultimately a night of theatre not to be missed.