Up on the Marquee: SHUFFLE ALONG

Broadway's Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed is a new production that presents both the 1921 musical itself and details the events that catalyzed the songwriting team of Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake, and librettists F.E. Miller and Aubrey Lyles to create this ground-breaking work. Previews will begin Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Opening night is Thursday, April 28, 2016 at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street). Check out photos of the marquee below!

SHUFFLE ALONG will star six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald, Tony Award-winners Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter, and Tony Award-nominees Brandon Victor Dixon and Joshua Henry. SHUFFLE ALONG will have a new book by George C. Wolfe, will be choreographed by Savion Glover, and directed by Mr. Wolfe. SHUFFLE ALONG marks the first time that the writer/director and choreographer will have worked together since their 1996 hit Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk.

In May 1921, the new musical Shuffle Along became the unlikeliest of hits, significantly altering the face of the Broadway musical as well as that of New York City. By the time Shuffle Along stumbled into town after a back-breaking pre-Broadway tour, it was deeply in debt and set to open at a remote Broadway house on West 63rd Street. In a season full of spectacles, such as Sally - a Ziegfeld musical - and another edition of George White's Scandals, Shuffle Along's failure was almost a foregone conclusion. New York City was still in the throes of the Depression of 1920. And despite being celebrated vaudeville performers, Miller and Lyles and Sissle and Blake had never performed on Broadway, much less written a musical. But with an infectious jazz score and exuberant dancing, Shuffle Along ignited not just Broadway but all of New York City. George Gershwin, Fanny Brice, Al Jolson, Langston Hughes, and famed critic George Jean Nathan were among the many fans who repeatedly flocked to West 63rd Street to see a cast which - during its run of 504 performances - featured such incipient luminaries as Josephine Baker, Paul Robeson, Florence Mills, Fredi Washington, and Adelaide Hall. Because of Shuffle Along, Uptown and Downtown met and became one.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.

Theatre Marquee unveiling for the new Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along' starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter at The Music Box Theatre on February 4, 2016 in New York City.