Sarasota's Asolo Rep announces Broadway-bound world premiere

   Bradenton-area audiences will get to see a new musical based on the life of Josephine Baker before it goes to Broadway.

Cox as Baker 
(photo by Frank Ruiz)

   "Josephine" will get its world premiere at Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota beginning with previews in April and a three-week run that starts May 6.
   There's some serious talent behind the show and the production.
   The star is Deborah Cox, who starred on Broadway in the title role of "Aida" and as the female lead in the recent revival of "Jekyll & Hyde." She also recently provided the vocals for the Whitney Houston in the Lifetime movie "Whitney."
   Composer Steve Dorff and lyricist John Bettis wrote Houston’s "One Moment in Time" and Madonna’s "Crazy For You." Bettis has won an Oscar and an Emmy. Dorff has been nominated for five Emmys and three Grammys.
   The musical revolves around Baker’s time with the Folies Bergere in Paris, her affair with Swedish Crown Prince Gustav VI and her service in the French Resistance during World War II. 

   For information, call 941-351-8000 or go to asolorep.org.

Deborah Cox brings R&B style to Broadway-bound 'Jekyll & Hyde' at Straz in Tampa: interview

Constantine Maroulis and Deborah Cox

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/10/18/4242497/deborah-cox-brings-rb-style-to.html#storylink=cpy

She's been releasing pop and R&B hits for about as long as Justin Bieber has been alive. Launched her acting career in 2004 by playing the lead role in Elton John and Tim Rice's Broadway musical "Aida."

But Deborah Cox still sounds seriously grateful when congratulated on another successful year.

"I work so hard and put so many hours in and dedication, that sometimes I'm just so in the trenches I don't get to savor and enjoy it," Cox said by phone from a tour stop in Houston. "Thanks for mentioning all that has happened this year, I'm really thankful."

Cox started 2012 by topping Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart for the 11th time with her song "If It Wasn't For Love." The multi-talented entertainer also landed a pair of choice Broadway roles. Cox is Lucy in "Jekyll & Hyde" and will play the lead in the "Josephine Baker" production scheduled for 2014.

Fortunately for local theater enthusiasts, before "Jekyll & Hyde" returns to Broadway next spring, the world-famous musical is on a 25-week nationwide tour that started last month in Southern California and has a six-day engagement at the Straz Center in Tampa starting Tuesday.

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—Constantine Maroulis and Deborah Cox star in "Jekyll & Hyde." Publicity photo.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/10/18/4242497/deborah-cox-brings-rb-style-to.html#storylink=cpy