{"product_id":"josephine-baker-coming-of-age-in-philadelphia-paperback","title":"Josephine Baker: Coming of Age in Philadelphia - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eSahara Bowser\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen 15-year-old Josephine Wells came to Philadelphia with the Bob Russell Troupe on the T.O.B.A. circuit, the engagement at the Standard Theatre was only to be for two weeks. Josephine would end up staying in Philly for a year.\u003cbr\u003eThe hit musical\u003ci\u003e Shuffle Along \u003c\/i\u003edebuted in Philadelphia at the same time. Josephine's lifelong dream was to dance on New York's Broadway.\u003cbr\u003eJosephine auditioned for \u003ci\u003eShuffle Along\u003c\/i\u003e, but the producers, Sissle and Blake, turned her down. Josephine was fifteen and the legal age to perform on Broadway was sixteen.\u003cbr\u003eJosephine watched \u003ci\u003eShuffle Along\u003c\/i\u003e leave for Broadway without her. Bob Russell's troupe soon left for its next engagement, but Josephine didn't leave with them. She had decided to stick around Philly because it was close to New York and her dream. She thought if she left, she may not get back that way again.\u003cbr\u003eJosephine landed a permanent gig at Gibson's Standard Theatre, 1126 South Street, with the Sandy Burns Stock Company. She also landed something else she wasn't looking for-a husband, William Howard Baker, called \"Billy.\"\u003cbr\u003eShe and Billy got married and lived at 1520 South Street over Warren Baker's Dining, Billy's father's restaurant. The Bakers were well-to-do, and the restaurant was a popular eatery in Philly. It was two doors away from the Regal Theatre. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAt sixteen, Josephine auditioned and was accepted on the chorus line of \u003ci\u003eShuffle Along\u003c\/i\u003e. Her husband, Billy, an aspiring dancer, was less successful and lived vicariously through his wife's career, touring with her, but always hoping for a lucky break for himself. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBilly was in Chicago, Illinois, taking care of his dying mother when Josephine left for Paris, France.\u003cbr\u003eJosephine Baker became an international superstar, famous for exotic costumes and sultry dances. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eDespite her legal marriage to Billy, she took many French husbands. However, Josephine held on to Billy's surname and gave her twelve adopted children the surname Baker.\u003cbr\u003eJosephine and Billy Baker remained legally married until his death in 1950.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 102\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.21 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e September 22, 2021\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51777781530912,"sku":"9798482141564","price":13.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/9e17a404f14edd4cbd6ee232a7553c09.webp?v=1780501647","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/josephine-baker-coming-of-age-in-philadelphia-paperback","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}