“Josephine B” is a musical revue about the life Josephine Baker. The show was written by Frank Van Laecke, Allard Blom and Sam Verhoeven.
Brief content
“Josephine B” tells the story of the world’s most famous revue star: Josephine Baker.
Who does not know the dance in the spicy banana skirt, the big break in Paris for the originally American? After that, things move fast. Lightning fast. In the early 1920s, Josephine made her debut on Broadway to become the first black ‘superstar’.
She not only winds the public around her finger, but also a whole host of men. As a spy, she joins the French Resistance. Equally, she uses her name and fame in the fight against racial discrimination. Josephine Baker turns out to be more, so much more than a singer dressed in feathers.
You don’t give a revue star her own musical. You give a revue star her own revue. A dazzling, humorous, moving, surprising, whirlwind revue about her own turbulent life.
Recordings
An official ‘cast recording’ was issued on CD in 2022.
This recording is also available on all streaming services.
Awards
Gold Label ‘Best Theatre Production 2013’
The press on “Josephine B”
“With this world creation, Judas Theatre Productions has once again realised an intelligent and exciting performance”
KNACK
“Leki triumphs as Josephine Baker. A four-star performance”
THE STANDARD
“This performance possesses enough voltage to electrify the audience from start to finish”
CLASSICALLY CENTRAL
Performances
2013 – World premiere at the Fakkeltheater in Antwerp, Judas TheaterProducties (B)
2022 – Reworked version in Antwerp and on tour, Judas TheaterProducties (B)
2025 – Dutch premiere and tour, De Graaf and Cornelissen (NL)
Creatives
| Screenplay & lyrics | Allard Blom |
| Scenario: | Frank Van Laecke |
| Muziek: | Sam Verhoeven |
| Arrangements: | Thomas Vanhauwaert |
| Original direction: | Martin Michel |
| Original producer: | Judas Theater Producties / Iskariot |
Cast – 1 woman, 8 men
Josephine Baker
Jo Bouillon + ensemble
Pepito de Abatino + ensemble
Paul Collin + ensemble
Walter Winchel + ensemble
Jacques Abty + ensemble
Martin Luther King + ensemble
Ensemble
Ensemble
Orchestra
Reed I (clarinet, bass clarinet, alto and baritone saxophone)
Reed II (clarinet, bass clarinet, alto and tenor saxophone)
Trumpet
Keyboard / accordion
Bass guitar / double bass
Drums and percussive
+ Backing track with string ensemble and additional percussion
Playing time
Act I – 65 minutes
Act II – 50 minutes
Translations
English translation available (Michael Diederich)
German translation available (Kai Hüsgen)
Additional material
Integral take-up (2022)
Cast recording (2022)
Rights
On request – minimum 11% of gross receipts for the original Dutch-language version
Additional fee per performance for use of the script, vocal score and arrangement.
More info
Request info at licensing@iskariot.be
Requests
Belgium, Netherlands And Luxembourg
ISKARIOT PRODUCTIONS – https://www.iskariot.be
Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Poland
GALLISSAS THEATERVERLAG UND MEDIAAGENTUR gmbh – https://www.gallissas-verlag.de
Worldwide, except Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Poland
SCENIOUS – https://www.scenious.art
