Gamble Pays Off With a First-String Show

With Christmas a month away, it’s time for performances of time-honored holiday tales. Some renditions, however, are a bit less traditional than others.

Take, for example, “ ‘Twas the Night Bear-Fore Christmas,” a creative twist on a seasonal classic to be performed Dec. 3 by Jim Gamble Puppet Productions.

Featuring puppet bears of all shapes and sizes, characters such as Santa Bear Claws, Bearushka the Ballerina, Pole R. Bear and Jingle Bear happily cavort on their strings to the beat of lively holiday melodies.

“ ‘Twas the Night Bear-Fore Christmas is a takeoff on the Clement Moore poem,” Gamble said. The performance begins with “a narration in rhyme,” he said, and the puppet bears act, juggle and ice skate as the story progresses.

Gamble, a respected puppet designer and performer, is known for his entertaining productions and handcrafted marionettes.

He began making puppets as a child growing up in Texas. Realizing it would be difficult to make a living as a professional puppeteer, he earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace from the University of Oklahoma and went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot before settling in Southern California and going to work for Continental Airlines.

Through the years, though, Gamble never lost sight of his love of puppetry. Between flying assignments, he performed shows until he took early retirement in 1983 after nearly two decades with the airline and founded his own company.

The firm has since grown to one of the largest puppetry companies in the nation. During busy months, such as those around the winter holidays, a full-time staff of 12 are on hand to maneuver the cast of marionettes. The company performs 2,000 shows annually at schools, parties and children’s theater festivals across the country. It has also toured internationally, with performances in Japan, South Korea and Mexico.

“I enjoy using puppetry as a means of education,” said Gamble, 56, a Palos Verdes resident. Performing “is a lot of fun.”

Jim Gamble Puppet Productions recently released an acclaimed series of five videos including “Musical Classics for Children,” which was named Parent’s Choice Best Children’s Video of the Year.

“ ‘Twas the Night Bear-Fore Christmas,” performances at 1 and 3 p.m. on Dec. 3 at Santa Monica College Concert Hall, 1900 Pico Blvd. Tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for children. Information: (310) 452-9396.