Josephine Baker Brings Her Bananas to the Stage

By Michael Musto Tue., Feb. 15 2011 at 12:00 PM

At the Mik Cire men's fashion show at Lincoln Center, I enjoyed not only the clothes, but the whole scene that happens in the waiting area, where everyone's mwahing each other in between enjoying the free wine bar and frappuccino samples.

(I got three, plus an organic candle that moisturizes your skin, some low-acid grapefruit, and a photo op on the hood of a Mercedes! I adore Fashion Week!)

After the show, I even got to talk to Deborah Cox, the singer of "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" who appeared in Aida and who told me she's going into rehearsal to play legendary danceuse savage and activist Josephine Baker, the human pastry who made the French squeal with delight.

Cox said they don't have a theater yet, but they're shooting for Off-Broadway or Broadway for June.

Most importantly: Has she screwed in her headdresses?

"They haven't made them yet," said Cox, smiling. "Heavy artillery!"

Will you pay big bucks to see Cox's big bananas?

I know I would.

Photos: Brian Christopher Cummings

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T. Alessandro

Girl, do you have on FLIPFLOPS? Come on, now, it's still February! In New York!

Julien

Love Miss Deborah Cox! Can't wait to see her in "Josephine." Thanks Mike!

Nonplussed

Know what?You look great.Good for you.

Guest

It looks like you live in a Puff Daddy video.

Musto

Thanks, Robbie! That's super sweet.

Musto

Posing for photos is easy:

Lift head. Open eyes. Raise eyebrow. Faint smile so it's not too sharky.

robbie

as i write this from Warm texas, you never cease to amaze me with your wit, and thats why you'll always be who you are, the idea that you would not be w/ V.V. is like regis leaving his show, i had such a good time in nyc 1987, i think i ran into you, once, the publication still intrigues me after all these years, keep it Up! M.M.

franco

RE: photo #3

How you are able to parlay three distinct facial expressions all at once is beyond me, the jaw-drop with the faint pursed smile and topping it all, the bemused arched eyebrows.

You must have spent some time conversing with your model NBF for life, so is there any truth to the old maxim that a high bulging forehead is a sign of superior intelligence, or is he just another pretty face?

This inquiring mind wants to know.

Musto

My pleasure, Tracie. Happy Fashion Week.

Tracie Wagner

It was a pleasure to have you at our show, Michael!! I've been a big fan of yours for several years! And, Tobias is also one of my favorite models in the business. Fabulous model and very sweet guy! XO, Tracie Wagner

Musto

I posed with him for a picture. I'm not paying him to be my boyfriend and inviting Anna Wintour to his birthday party!! Fuck off, you hideous, lying, misrepresenting and moronic troll.

latenitebump

and you talk about calvin klein and michael jackson. everytime you´re posing with someone their not more than half your century, mama!you should be posing with someone 60 to 100!frankenstein, the hunchback of notre dame, milton berle, jerry lewis. someone in your age category, girl!(and that mercedes isn´t the latest model.) (prince paisley parked. trashion week i see.)

Musto

I also loved Betsey Johnson's show. Halfway through, she filled the runway with real-looking models, all bewigged and looking like Betsey. Each one got a big ovation because we thought each one actually WAS Betsey! (Until a drag queen came out, that is.)After the real Betsey came out and started lipsynching to "It's in His Kiss," the show ended with the girls parading down the runway holding five-foot flowers. A truly feelgood experience.

Musto

PS: Photo three is of me and one of the models from the Mik Cire show. He's my new best friend for life.

Gregor

"Cox's big bananas" Hell, yeah.

Josephine Baker Brings Her Bananas to the Stage

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