Josephine Baker: Coming of Age in Philadelphia

When 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.

The hit musical Shuffle Along debuted in Philadelphia at the same time. Josephine's lifelong dream was to dance on New York's Broadway.

Josephine auditioned for Shuffle Along, but the producers, Sissle and Blake, turned her down. Josephine was fifteen and the legal age to perform on Broadway was sixteen.

Josephine watched Shuffle Along 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.

Josephine 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."

She 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.

At sixteen, Josephine auditioned and was accepted on the chorus line of Shuffle Along. 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.

Billy was in Chicago, Illinois, taking care of his dying mother when Josephine left for Paris, France.

Josephine Baker became an international superstar, famous for exotic costumes and sultry dances.

Despite 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.

Josephine and Billy Baker remained legally married until his death in 1950.