"La Creole" JOSEPHINE BAKER Jacques Offenbach 1934 Theatre Marigny Paris Program

Description

This is a
rare programme (playbill) from the French revival of the JACQUES OFFENBACH operette "LA CREOLE" at the Theatre Marigny in Paris, France. (The production opened in December 1934 and ran for six months.) ..... The musical starred the legendary JOSEPHINE BAKER (third and sixth scanned images) as "Dora" and the cast included ROSE CARDAY, M. DREAN, GERALD CASTRIX, JEAN POC, ADRIEN LAMY, HENRY JULLIEN, CARMEN LAHENZ, MAX FONTAL, MAX MARRIO, RENE-CHARLE and LE BALLET DE ROBERT QUINAULT ..... 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.) ..... DETAILS: The 44 page programme measures 5 3/8" X 6 7/8" inches and includes full production credits, individual photos of most of the performers, scenes and musical numbers, program notes (all text in French) and wonderful vintage advertising, but no cast bios ..... CONDITION: With the exception of light edge wear, this rare program 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.
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