Overview
Josephine
Book by Ellen Weston and Mark Hampton
Music by Stephen Dorff
Lyrics by John Bettis
Based on a story by Kenneth Waissman
Directed and choreographed by Joey McKneely
Romance and intrigue will fill the stage when Asolo Rep presents the world premiere of Josephine, an original new musical bound for Broadway following its Sarasota run. Born into poverty in St. Louis, Josephine Baker rose to become an icon of the Jazz Age, captivating Paris audiences as a dancer, singer, actress and the 20th century’s first international African-American female sex symbol. Directed and choreographed by Tony nominee Joey McKneely and starring Grammy nominee, multi-platinum recording artist Deborah Cox, this dazzling new musical revolves around Baker’s stint as the star of the Folies-Bergere in Paris from 1939-45, her scandalous affair with Swedish Crown Prince Gustav VI, and her service in the French Resistance during World War II.