Breaking News: Deborah Cox to Lead World Premiere of Josephine Baker Musical at Asolo Rep in 2016

On Friday, March 6, 2015, Asolo Repertory Theatre announced that it will present the world premiere of JOSEPHINE, an original Broadway-bound musical, in April and May 2016. Previews for JOSEPHINE begin April 27, press night is Friday, May 6 at 8pm, and the musical runs through Sunday, May 29. Chronicling a dynamic chapter in the life of the legendary African-American performer Josephine Baker, from 1939-1945, this exquisite new musical stars Grammy nominated, multi-talented, multi-platinum selling recording artist Deborah Cox, who recently provided the vocals for the Whitney Houston Lifetime movie: Whitney. Ms. Cox starred on Broadway in the title role of Aida and as the female lead in the recent revival of Jekyll & Hyde.

Asolo Rep is producing JOSEPHINE in collaboration with two-time Tony Award-winner Kenneth Waissman, who produced the original Broadway production of Grease and is one of only two producers in the history of Broadway to have a musical run over 3,000 performances and a play run over 1,000. Waissman produced a Broadway workshop for JOSEPHINE in May and June 2011, which also featured Cox as the iconic leading lady. JOSEPHINE will be directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award-nominee Joey McKneely, who recently did the musical staging for the celebrated Broadway revival of West Side Story. JOSEPHINE features a book by Ellen Weston and Mark Hampton, and an original score composed by five-time Emmy Award-nominee and three-time Grammy Award-nominee Stephen Dorff with lyrics by Academy Award, Grammy, and Golden Globe-nominee and two-time Emmy Award-winner John Bettis.

Led by Asolo Rep's Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards, Kenneth Waissman, Deborah Cox, Joey McKneely, and Stephen Dorff provided insight and behind-the-scenes information with members of the press and Asolo Rep donors and sponsors at a special presentation in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts Cook Theatre on Friday, March 6, 2015. It was also revealed that Ms. Cox will perform with Mr. Dorff at Asolo Rep's Annual Gala on Saturday, March 7 at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota.

Inspired by Stephen Papich's book "Remembering Josephine," the musical revolves around Baker's stint as the star of the Folies Bergere in Paris between 1939-45, her scandalous affair with Swedish Crown Prince Gustav VI, and her heroic service in the French Resistance during World War II. She was hailed as the "Black Pearl." Picasso dubbed her the "Nefertiti of Now." Ernest Hemingway called her "the most sensational woman anyone ever saw." The entrancing Josephine Baker was beautiful, ambitious, and the toast of Europe at the height of her fame in the 1920s-30s. Born into poverty in St. Louis, she rose to become an icon of the Jazz Age, captivating Paris audiences as a dancer, singer, actress and the twentieth-century's first international black female sex symbol.

"We are excited to present the world premiere of this extraordinary original musical, brimming with unparalleled Broadway talent," said Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards. "JOSEPHINE vividly brings to life the story of a beloved American icon - one of the most magnetic and fascinating women in history. This celebration of Josephine Baker is a remarkably evocative work of art and a brilliant addition to our five-year American Character Project."

"For a number of years, I had been intrigued with the idea of recreating the glamorous and exotic world of Josephine Baker in a stage musical," said Kenneth Waissman. "She was a larger than life African-American expatriate who transcended her color, her gender and her times. Her exotic looks, fabulous gowns and feathered headdresses, her obsession with her royal lover and her life-risking exploits in the French underground during WWII provide the sex, romance and intrigue of this original new musical. I'm thrilled to be working with Asolo Repertory Theatre on the world premiere of this Broadway-bound dream."

Asolo Rep's complete 2015-16 Season will be announced on Monday, March 16 at 3pm in the Mertz Theatre. Tickets for the season announcement are free but required. Renewal subscriptions for the 2015-16 season are on sale now and new subscriptions go on sale immediately following the 2015-16 season announcement. Subscriptions are available by visiting the Asolo Rep Box Office, located in the lobby of the theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, by calling 941.351.8000 or 800.361.8388 or online at www.asolorep.org. Single tickets will go on sale in September 2015.