Josephine Baker looks back on her life in light of a theatrical project. 1971.

Josephine Baker (1906.1975)

Typed letter signed to his friend Jo Mehu.

Two quarto pages

Monte Carlo. July 7, 1971.

« I don't want to talk about marriage with Jo, any more than I did with my other husbands. »

A remarkable letter from Josephine Baker who looks back on her entire career in light of a biographical musical comedy project at the Chatelet theatre.

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Dear Jo, I was delighted to hear your voice earlier. Thank you so much also for your letter of proposal, which I have in front of me. It's a wonderful idea. And regarding the musical's work plan, there are, in my opinion, only two or three small things to change:

Act 1 :

1) St. Louis cellar – Josephine at 14 – Her exhibitions and Mrs. Baker. Okay.

2) Cotton Club Start. Cut Impresario

3) Departure from Paris with the Revue Nègre. Okay

4) Théâtre Champs Élysées with Joséphine-Alcazar
. Okay

5) The Marquis. European tour. Engagement at the Folies.
 I don't know what you mean by the Marquis.

6) Presentation (the egg) at the Folies
. Okay

7) Josephine's wedding. Cut. I don't want to talk about my husbands.

8) Casino de Paris (J'ai deux Amours). Josephine plays the role of her mother until the end of the first act. Okay.

Act 2 :

1) Josephine's cabaret. Josephine herself. Okay

2) Declaration of war. Okay

3) Exploit of resistance. The raft of Morocco - officer. Agreed

4) End of the war. Return to Paris. Meeting the jazz orchestra, in this case Jo.
Agreed on the first part but I don't want to talk about the marriage with Jo, any more than with my other husbands.

5) Tour with OK Orchestra.

6) The Folies Bergère. OK.

7) America. The Roxy NY. History of the Storck. OK.

8) Helicopter departure in Mexico. OK.

9) Olympia. Milandes. OK.

10) The avant-garde, ultra-modern decor. Josephine (present-day). Sumptuous dress. Finale. OK, but we need to find a final apotheosis.

Regarding the Châtelet, we must wait, and above all not speak to journalists about this project, before signing the contract, before having the producer with the money…. It would be unwise to talk about it before.

I send you my warmest regards, Josephine.

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