Devotees of the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées turned out Wednesday night to learn about its upcoming season, which is dedicated to the centennial of the Paris debut of Josephine Baker.
An art-centric group of guests gathered at Judith Pisar’s Upper East Side apartment to learn more about the celebratory plans from Théâtre des Champs-Élysées’ new general director Baptiste Charroing. The arts were well-represented thanks to attendees like Twyla Tharp, William Ivey Long, Yeou-Cheng Ma, Edward Villella, Barbara Tober, Renee Cox and Ashley Bouder among others. The occasion marked the first time that Théâtre des Champs-Élysées announced its program in the U.S.
In October, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées will stage a week of performances including a new work by the Senegalese choreographer Germaine Acogny based on the life of Baker. Chanel will provide some of the costumes and will serve as the underwriter. Acogny knew Baker personally. And Coco Chanel was friendly with the famed performer. Acogny’s piece will be part of the program that will feature Pina Bausch’s “The Rite of Spring,” which is going to be performed by African dancers from 17 nations. The Stravinsky music was originally premiered at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées.
The house of Chanel will also outfit the artists, who will perform at the Josephine Baker gala that will be held at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées on Oct. 4. One of Baker’s sons, Brian Bouillon-Baker, was at the New York City announcement.
The elegant theater was designed in 1913 by a group of artists — Henry van de Velde, the Perret brothers, Antoine Bourdelle and Maurice Denis. Throughout its history it has offered opera, recitals, orchestral concerts, and dance performances. Pisar has a personal connection to the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées beyond her memorable nights there. To strengthen cultural ties between France and the U.S. by promoting the work of a young contemporary composer, Pisar initiated the Pisar Prize, a collaboration between Juilliard and Théâtre des Champs-Élysées.
The interior of the theater.
Photo by Olaf- Daniel Meyer/Courtesy
Referring to the upcoming 100-year anniversary of Baker and the theater’s Franco-American slant for the season, Pisar reminded attendees how Baker thrived in France before she could do so in the U.S. She said, “As someone who believes so deeply in the power of cultural diplomacy, I would like to say that in these challenging times, your institution, along with us and your international supporters, has a great role to play in the health of the trans-Atlantic alliance. We need you for this and we will support you.”
(Pisar has a real grasp of diplomacy. Her son Antony Blinken was the U.S. Secretary of State under former president Joe Biden.)
During his remarks, Charroing spoke of his plans to make Théâtre des Champs-Élysées more inclusive, accessible and a place for connections and shared experiences including for younger generations and to give more creative space to women. The New York preview included a sampling by the pianist Llewellyn Sánchez-Werner.
Llewellyn Sánchez-Werner performs at the event.
Michael Ostuni
During the cocktails, Pisar, who lives in France a good part of the year, said, “Music is the only thing in the arts that save us, but it’s in great, great danger.”
Tober spoke of Baker’s relevance today. “First of all, she didn’t take no for an answer. She was one-of-a-kind, and she was brave. I put bravery at the top of the list, when you are trying to be somebody, get somewhere and get something done,” Tober said. “She had a sense of humor. She danced on a mirrored floor, OK, so what? She was a very inventive human being, who I admire tremendously. She started a trend even though she didn’t know that she was. Her individuality brushed off on a huge number of people. That is something that we need more of now in this world, because there’s a tendency to shelter one’s self and do what everyone else does.”
Candace Bushnell described Baker’s life as “amazing” and she spoke of the significance of New York’s wonderful cultural events. The author will soon be staging her one-woman show in the city next month at Sony Hall.