A Tribute to JOSEPHINE BAKER / Ingrid Bergman / Muhammad Ali 1976 Benefit Flyer

Description

This is a rare single page advertising handbill (flyer) promoting the one-night, star-studded Benefit Performance, "A TRIBUTE TO JOSEPHINE BAKER" at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, November 7th, 1976 ..... Biography: American born JOSEPHINE BAKER (1906-1975) landed a role in the road company of Sissle and Blake's
Shuffle Along
(1923) at the age of 17 and made her Broadway debut the following year in
The Chocolate Dandies
(1924). She appeared with Ethel Waters in the floor show at New York's Plantation Club and soon became a crowd favorite. In 1925, at the peak of France's obsession with American Jazz and all things exotic, Baker traveled to Paris to perform in
La Revue Negre
at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees. She made an immediate impression on French audiences, however it was the following year, at the Follies-Bergere Music Hall that Baker's career would reach a major turning point. In a performance called
La Folie du Jour
, Baker danced wearing little more than a skirt made of sixteen bananas. The show was wildly popular with Parisian audiences and Baker was soon among the highest paid performers in Europe, having become an overnight sensation. Her striking beauty cemented her celebrity status as she rivaled Gloria Swanson and Mary Pickford as the most photographed women in the world. She returned to the United States periodically, but her talents were never fully appreciated due primarily to racism and the American public's unwillingness to accept the idea of a black woman with so much sophistication and power. She dedicated the last years of her life fighting for racial equality. Josephine reluctantly agreed to perform at New York's Carnegie Hall in 1974 for a benefit. Due to previous experience, she was nervous about how the audience and critics would receive her. This time, however, cultural and racial growth was evident and Josephine received a standing ovation before the concert even began. The enthusiastic welcome was so touching that she wept openly on stage. On April 12th, 1975, just days after performing at the Bombino Theatre in Paris, Josephine slipped into a coma and died from a cerebral hemorrhage. (Reprinted in part from the Bio.True Story website.) ..... CONCERT DETAILS: The one-night Gala was hosted by The Variety Club Foundation of New York and included appearances and performances from the ALVIN AILEY COMPANY, MUHAMMED ALI, JACQUES d'AMBOISE, JEAN-PIERRE AUMONT, INGRID BERGMAN, EUBIE BLAKE, JEAN-CLAUDE BRIALY, ANTON COPPOLA, OSSIE DAVIS, the "GUYS and DOLLS" Cast, JOCELYN JOCYA, MYRNA LOY, JEANNE MOREAU, PETER NERO and VIVIAN REED ..... CREDITS: Executive Producer: TONY CABOT; Sponsored by THE VARIETY CLUB FOUNDATION OF NEW YORK ..... DETAILS: Advertising handbills (heralds) were distributed or inserted into the playbills of other productions to help generate ticket sales for upcoming shows. This single page, one-sided handbill measures 5 1/2" X 9" inches and includes performance date, venue and list of performers on the front. The backside is blank ..... CONDITION: With the exception of light edge wear, this rare handbill is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.