Frequently Asked Questions

We love questions and give our best answers by phone since our staff puppeteer, Mr. Meltzer is such a poor typist. If you don't find the answers you seek below, please call 310 656-0483 or email us at steve@puppetolio.com. Include your phone number for the best response.

The Puppetry Center is a theater, museum and workshop devoted to the art of puppetry.

Puppetolio! has been seen by over 55,000 people and is now Los Angeles’ longest running puppet show, playing 6 shows weekly since March, 1998. The show has received favorable reviews from the Los Angeles Times, The Daily News, Showtime Magazine, The Malibu Times and L.A. Parent. Click here to read our reviews.

Puppeteer, Steve Meltzer performs the show utilizing a variety of puppetry styles including ventriloquism, and marionettes. Meltzer also writes music for the show as well as utilizing popular favorites for sing-along including ‘You Are My Sunshine’ and ‘On Top Of Spaghetti’. The original Cast recording is now available on CD. For information about the Original Cast CD, click here.

Steve builds the puppets and supplies their voices. As a puppet builder he has done work for Paul Winchell, Senor Wences and the Huber Marionettes. His Puppets have been seen on numerous TV. shows including ‘Married With Children’, Nickelodeon’s Big Help, Blind Date and ‘Good Day, L.A.’ Screen credits include the feature film, Gattacca and commercials for Nike and Slice.

Performances at the Center are always followed by the ‘Behind Strings’ Tour... a chance to see the workshop, ask questions and view the hundreds of puppets on display in the Museum.

Puppetolio! is a show for all ages. The word "olio" is an old show business term for a kind of small-scale variety show that was typically part of carnivals and tent shows and featured every conceivable type of attraction and performance.

Puppetry is as old as humanity and is considered the bridge between childhood play and adult artistic expression. Globally, evidence of puppets is found though-out pre-historical explorations. Puppets in the museum range in size from finger puppets to an 8-foot tall body suit puppet created by the legendary Bil Baird.

The workshop specializes in the creation, repair and restoration of marionettes and ventriloquist figures. Meltzer is puppetry advisor to Schroeder’s Antique Toy Guide and has been a consultant to David Copperfield.