Josephine: A Musical Cabaret is a highly entertaining show based on the extraordinary life of the African-American singer / dancer Josephine Baker. The burlesque style show is filled with songs from the 1920’s through the 1960’s, cheeky humour, and a powerful story about fighting oppression. Fantastic!
In a one-woman performance, the vivacious Tymisha Harris portrays Josephine Baker’s rise from poverty in early 20th century America, her traumatic struggle to escape racism, her flight to Paris, and achieving fame as a dancer and singer. The show spans Ms. Baker’s sensational career, her role as a spy in occupied France during WWII, and her many lovers, both men and women. While she spent most of her life in France, she did not fully leave America. She came back briefly to join the civil rights movement alongside Martin Luther King Jr. She was a woman who lived her life by her choices. While the show celebrates this, it does not shy away from Ms. Baker’s restless personal life. The lady lived large and the story does not condescend her. A complicated person will have a complicated life.
Ms. Harris gives a dazzling performance, delivering a triple-threat just like Josephine, with her excellent voice, strong dance moves, and charismatic acting. Ms. Harris is very engaging with the audience, letting them into the world that Josephine performed in. Using her voice and body, she effortlessly portrays Josephine from the age of 11 until her death at 68. Her re-creation of Ms. Baker’s infamous banana dance is electrifying. She is playful, charming, and bold. Ms. Harris’s love, respect, and admiration for Ms. Baker is very apparent.
The costumes are gorgeous! Each piece is a character and Ms. Harris plays with them with enjoyable effect. A great live band accompanies Ms. Harris and fills in for the occasional gaps during the scene changes.
The great artists of today owe a lot to those who came before them. Artists like Josephine Baker had tremendous courage and the will to change the world. Even if it was half-a-world away, the ripple effect made the road a little better for the future.
Photo credit: Leslie Schachter
Josephine: A Musical Cabaret. Directed by Sean Cheesman. Show continues until June 18, at Segal Centre, 5170 Chemin de la Côte-Ste-Catherine, Montreal. Call the box office 514-739-7944 or go to www.segalcentre.org . For COVID Protocols, please go to https://segalcentre.org/en/coronavirus
