With a legendary performance from Orlando's Tymisha Harris, Josephine is coming to The Ren Theater

With new scenes, an amazing live band, and a legendary performance, Josephine is coming home to Orlando.

Local legend Tymisha Harris is bringing her critically-acclaimed Josephine musical to Orlando's Renaissance Theatre Company from March 9 through until 19, and tickets are on sale now.

Josephine, performed by Tymisha Harris and created by Tymisha Harris, Michael Marinaccio and Tod Kimbro, is a one-woman biographical musical that combines cabaret, theatre and dance to tell the story of the iconic Josephine Baker, the first African-American international superstar and one of the most remarkable figures of the 20th Century.

After debuting at the 2016 San Diego Fringe Festival, Josephine has been wowing audiences ever since, including an off-Broadway run at Soho Playhouse, where it sold out performances and received high critical acclaim.

For the off-Broadway run, Tymisha Harris was nominated for a 2018 Vivian Robinson AUDELCO Award for Outstanding Solo Performance.

"Even after seven years, the show continues to evolve," says Harris. "With the release of new classified intelligence from WWII by the French a few years back, we learned much more about Josephine's time as a spy, and we wanted to incorporate that into the play. With other changes, the expanded show now runs a full 90 minutes. Orlando is my home. It's always been my favorite place to debut new material, and I knew the Ren would be the perfect place for us to make our homecoming with this new version."

"At Renaissance Theatre Company, we champion original work created by local artists," adds the Ren Co-Founder Donald Rupe. "Josephine is written, directed and performed by some of the most talented artists in Orlando, and it tells a beautiful story about one of history's most iconic performers. We're so proud to feature this work on our stage."

Before Ella, Tina, Billie Or Beyonce there was Josephine: the first African-American International Superstar.

About Josephine Baker

Born in St. Louis in 1906, Josephine Baker achieved only moderate success in the United States, but became an international superstar after moving to France in the early 20’s.

She starred alongside white romantic leading men in films in the 30’s, had multiple interracial marriages and homosexual relationships, and performed in men’s clothing before the term “drag” existed in the lexicon.

She was also a spy for the French Resistance, a civil rights activist, and the mother of 12 adopted children from 4 continents. Her success in France and Europe often gave her the opportunity to live freely without the racial oppression of her home nation, though she never stopped yearning for acceptance in America.

Josephine is playing select nights March 9-19, 2023 at the Run, (Renaissance Theatre Company) located at 415 E. Princeton Street, Orlando.

Tickets are priced at $30.

To purchase tickets and for more information, visit www.rentheatre.com.