By Andrew Gans
08 Sep 2009

Deborah Cox
photo by © 2009 Deco Entertainment

Singer-songwriter Deborah Cox, who starred in the title role of the Broadway production of Aida, will portray the late, legendary Josephine Baker in the new Broadway-bound musical Josephine.

Theatre and production dates will be announced at a later time.

The new musical based on the life of the iconic entertainer who dazzled Paris audiences will be directed and choreographed by Joey McKneely, who was Tony-nominated for Best Choreography for both The Life and Smokey Joe's Cafe.

Josephine features music by Steve Dorff, lyrics by John Bettis and a book by Ellen Weston and Mark Hampton.

The musical, according to press notes, is "inspired by actual events, and takes place in Paris between 1939 and 1945: Josephine Baker is queen of the Paris music halls, involved in a liaison with Crown Prince Gustav VI of Sweden and secretly serving her adopted country in the French Resistance. Her heroic work during the war brings her the self-worth she so vainly sought in fame, money and the arms of royalty."

Born in 1973, Deborah Cox began her professional career at the age of 12, playing small Toronto clubs before attending a performing arts school. She later signed with Arista Records, and her first single, "Sentimental," was released in 1995. Her second single, "Who Do U Love?," sold over 500,000 copies. Cox's recording of "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" from her album "One Wish" topped the R&B charts for 14 weeks. She also had another Top 10 hit with "We Can't Be Friends." She also held the No. 1 Billboard Dance position with her remake of Phil Collins' "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven." Aida marked Cox's Broadway debut.

Ken Waissman is the producer.