Josephine: a Burlesque Cabaret Dream Play is a one-woman musical biographical play about the iconic Josephine Baker. Created by Tymisha Harris, Michael Marinaccio and Tod Kimbro. Book and Musical Direction by Tod Kimbro, performed by Tymisha Harris. Directed and Produced by Michael Marinaccio
I went to a rehearsal just prior to the Fab Fringe 2018 Fundraiser to be held at the Plaza Live (425 N Bumby Ave, Orlando, Florida 32803) on March 5th. Josephine,
combines cabaret, theatre, and dance to tell the story of the iconic
Josephine Baker, the first African-American international superstar and
one of the most remarkable figures of the 20th Century. Josephine
shatters stereotypes of race, gender roles, and sexuality
in this intimate, charming and haunting cabaret with a twist. Born in
St. Louis in 1906, Josephine Baker achieved only moderate success in the
United States but became an international superstar after moving to
France in the early 20s. She starred alongside white romantic leading
men in films in the 30s, had multiple interracial marriages and
homosexual relationships, and performed in men’s clothing before the
term “drag” existed in the lexicon. Her adopted country of France gave
her the opportunity to live freely without the racial oppression of her
home nation, though she never stopped yearning for acceptance in
America.
The rehearsal was in a small Orlando bungalow just south of Greenwood Cemetery. The band squeezed into the small living room. There were drums, a guitar, Todd on Piano, a violinist and bass along with an accordion. The conversations between sets offered plenty of saucy humor and the show itself offered the same. I don’t believe I saw the entire run through so I will not venture a review. But I could tell this was going to be a very fun musical review with a serious message.