Once Upon A Time…Josephine Baker!

Written by Austene Van, Directed by Maija García

June 12-June 30, 2024

In the days of 1900s American vaudeville, a determined young Josephine Baker will quickly rise from St. Louis to Harlem, to Broadway, to Paris. But even though France is a welcome escape from Jim Crow, these new audiences—and the coming World War—will warp Josephine into something stranger and more fantastical than she could have ever imagined. Now looking back on her life, Josephine must answer: what was real, what was a fairy tale, and what was both? Once Upon a Time…Josephine Baker! is an original biographical play created by Yellow Tree’s own Austene Van about the murky intersections of identity, ego, sex, love, and fame.

Production Photos by Alex Clark

View the playbill

Reviews

Talkin' Broadway:

“The opportunity to learn about this mesmerizing, enigmatic cultural icon, and to witness Ms. Van deliver one of the crowning performances of the 2023-2024 season make the trip to Yellow Tree's playhouse in Osseo well worth the drive.”
Stages of MN:

“Director Maija García understands the script and how it functions, creating transitions between the scenes and indeed times and places seamlessly. Staging everything on Sarah Brandners well designed two-level set.”
TJ Skinner:

“Ms. Austene Van sweeps us into the Parisian world of Josepine Baker immediately with her acting, singing and dancing and never lets us go. What a delightful, moving ride!”
Stages of MN:

“Wonderfully realized costumes by Samantha Fromm Haddow […] from Baker’s Classic performance outfits, the banana dance costume and her feathered dance costume to the 1970’s period outfit worn by Mac.”
Stages of MN:

“Tolu Ekisola nails the balancing act that Mac has to perform of humoring Baker and giving into her own “let’s cut the bullshit” world view. Ekisola is becoming one to watch.”
Cherry and Spoon:

“Rounding out the cast is the ever delightful Jim Lichtscheidl, once again displaying his talent for transforming into different specific characters, as he pops in and out of Josephine's story.”
TJ Skinner:

“Mr. JoeNathan Thomas as Percy commands with his acting and a voice that is born for the stage, it is heaven sent.”
Pioneer Press:

“Director Maija Garcia has crafted a staging with arresting variations in pace and emotional tenor, aided greatly by Sarah Brandner’s set and Samantha Fromm Haddow’s array of eye-catching costumes.”
Talkin' Broadway:

“Van's performance as Josephine Baker is a triumph, expressing the legendary star's confidence and arrogance, while also exposing her underlying insecurity and a yearning for love traced back to her earliest years. She can deliver a sharp quip, erupt with fury at the least slight, and melt into heartache with equal aplomb.”
Cherry and Spoon:

“Tolu Ekisola as Mac is a great sparring partner, in awe of the legend but not afraid to go toe-to-toe with her.”
Pioneer Press:

“[Van] delivers a simply astounding performance as a woman roiling with conflict and contradictions, a commanding yet vulnerable entertainer who sought to make a greater impact and found mixed results.”