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• Comment Link Friday, 06 January 2012 04:43 posted by Judith E

  Robinson’s performance is made all the more authentic by the gorgeous gowns she changes in and out of throughout the evening (sumptuously designed by Naila Aladdin Sanders), including that infamous banana belt, which Robinson dons for a demonstration of the sexy-comedic dance that made Josephine a star.
  Even for those already familiar with the timeline of Josephine Baker’s life, Bananas! A Day In The Life Of Josephine Baker is likely to prove an eye-opener. Sloan Robinson recreates la vie de Joséphine with affection, historical accuracy, and grace, making Bananas! an entertaining—and educational—tour down memory lane, and one well worth the attention of audiences of any age or color.
  StageSceneLA- by Steven Stanley
  
  
  Robinson, an actress and dancer whose previous one-woman theatre efforts include a Dorothy Dandridge piece, has a message to share about Baker's contributions to desegregation and racial harmony. When she works herself into tears, she offers glimpses of her true talent.
  -LA TIMES REVIEW BY DARYL MILLER-
  
  
  The unique career of Josephine Baker (1906-1975) is as ripe for dramatization as the bananas adorning her skirt in her famous Folies Bergere dance specialties. Actress-scribe Sloan Robinson takes a well-meant stab at it in "Bananas! A Day in the Life of Josephine Baker,"
  Wisely, Robinson forgoes a strictly chronological approach, keeping things light in act one and reserving the tougher stuff (encounters with violent racism; the Stork Club feud with Walter Winchell) for post-intermission.
  Variety review by Bob Verini
  
  
  The show is written and performed by Sloan Robinson, directed by Joyce Maddox and musical direction by Aeros Pierce. There is a lot to be learned from this well done play. Sloan Robinson takes the audience on a journey of both laughter and sadness entwined with our country's history of racial inequality. The show is laced with old songs and a style of dance that won Josephine Baker her notoriety. Sloan makes the audience feel a part of Baker's life, pulling the audience emotionally into her triumphs and falls.
  Nohoartsdistrict.com by Written by Nancy Bianconi
  
  
  
  Sloan Robinson starring in “Bananas!”
  A rousing and highly entertaining one-woman show, I enjoyed every moment of this one! Loaded with history, humor, recognizable songs, “food for thought,” and countless fabulous costume and wig changes … this is a mesmerizing and factual solo performance show. Allowing us to peer into the remarkable life of this “gutsy” African American vocalist, also known as “The Duchess of Europe,” we get to know this lady from the inside-out! Powerfully and poignantly written and flawlessly performed by Sloan Robinson … she has received raves and multi-awards around the country, for previous runs of this show: This diva can sing! Accompanied impressively on piano, by Aeros Pierce, while changing elaborate costumes onstage repeatedly (by Naila Sanders), she tells the story of a woman with strong beliefs … and the courage to live by them.
  
  Tolucan by Pat Taylor