Shuffle Along previews

[PianoMann]

Sally Durant Plummer said: ""Low Down Blues" is really unearned, especially because Aubrey is really not a likable character and does little before this number. It felt very show-horned into the plot and I don't think that character needs a big number - and his voice sounded tired this afternoon."


I disagree, because I think of all of the main characters, the show does a very good job explaining and developing Aubrey's self-consciousness (for lack of a better description). One of the most emotionally effective scenes in the first act is: 

 

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Aubrey at the dressing room mirror, putting on blackface, explaining his modest origins and the effect of F.E.'s friendship on his life and career.  And when F.E. dismisses him in the second act, you can feel that emotional foundation falling out from underneath Aubrey. 

I do agree about Porter's voice, though. He seemed to be running out of steam at the end of the number last night, too.

[JBroadway]

PianoMann said: "I do agree about Porter's voice, though. He seemed to be running out of steam at the end of the number last night, too."

 

That was even true at the first preview. Still, his emotion was so raw. I was floored by that number despite the strain in his voice. 

 

[bwayobsessed]

I'm sorry if this has already been addressed, I check this thread pretty regularly but could have missed it.... Anyways....

Could someone post the current song list?

[henrikegerman]

Arguably, the book doesn't sufficiently nourish and support any of the show's character driven solos.  But at least something intriguing is happening character-wise in "Low Down Blues."   The book, the acting and the casting has more than suggested that Aubrey has very deep feelings, whether romantic or not, for F.E...  So all of a sudden, after they have a squabble and Aubrey has a big emotional song, I felt that I was actually - at long last - truly curious about what was going on (is this a gay love song?  does Aubrey know what he feels for F.E.?  Will he admit it?  Is it moving that he doesn't or is it merely quaint?  Or is it only about friendship?  What exactly is happening?).   Later, we learn that Aubrey was married and that bit of exposition is handled with a comic wink (a loud wink).   Anyway, with the song for the first time since the first flirty seen between Eubie and Lottie, which seemed as if it had happened about three hours earlier, because it did, I was actually interested in a development in one of the relationships between the leading characters.

[Johnnywhatwhat2]

New member here (long time watcher and I finally jumped in). I'm really excited to see this show but might give them the benefit of another week or two of previews to work out some of the knots. I hear the production is beautiful though. Why would they change their playbill when the earlier version got nothing but praise? It was gorgeous.

[round2]

newintown said: ""...the history of Broadway still reflects a very marginalized, often invisible position of Black people."

No one in their right mind will deny that racism has been endemic in this country - but invisible on Broadway?...

... And that's just a partial list of Broadway only. So repressed, yes. Invisible, no. Hyperbole is rarely a helpful rhetorical tool, but clarity is always great."

I would say that the appearance of Black people on Broadway during this period of almost 100 years since the original production of SHUFFLE ALONG has been very marginal. The majority of stories told in the most seen plays and musicals on Broadway to this day have been the stories of white people, with occasional exceptions of "exotic" glimpses outside of white culture. In most of these productions, the lives of Black people have been invisible. Have the numbers of productions focused on the stories of Black characters approached being proportionate to the population?

[dramamama611]

QUEEN ALICE  -- Sent you a pm.

 

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

I really enjoyed it. 

 

Is there too much exposition? Yes. Does it need trimming? Yes. Is the second act problematic? Yes. 

 

But this is a wildly entertaining show with a cast that just does not quit. The performances are across the board first rate. The dancing is absolutely unbelievable. I don't think I've ever seen tap dancing at this level onstage in my life. It's wildly impressive. 

 

The show has its sights and its target set high, and it may not hit the bullseye, but there are certainly moments where it comes very close. And those moments are stunning. Truly. I enjoyed the show quite a lot. Audra's act two moment eclipsed Billy's in my mind. Billy's is impressive, but it's a little undeserved and he sounded almost in pain towards the end. Audra's moment is stunning and very moving. She's unbelievable. 

 

The comparisons to WOTV are wildly inappropriate in my opinion. It's not nearly at that level. With their week of rehearsals, I can't wait to see it closer to opening. There is something phenomenal there and I truly believe they could mine it out by then. 

 

It ran 3 hours and 5 minutes. 

[Sally Durant Plummer]

PianoMan, to be completely honest, I forgot about that scene until I read your post. 

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

For those who have seen it thus far, any thoughts about how the cast may possibly be designated for awards?   Does anyone outright seem to be leading versus supporting?

[billyelliotfan123]

I saw the show on Wednesday. I am on the side of the show being great but needing some cutting and a little more focus. I am surprised that no one is mentioning Brandon Victor Dixon's performance. I thought he was a stand out. Unlike others i wasn't taken by the opening number. I found it to be too busy and I missed a lot of the exposition from the dialogue spliced into the song. I found it slow and boring until the scene where the four men were meeting with Brooks Ashmanskas (who I totally forgot was in this, and it was a delightful surprise to see him). Once you were able to piece who everyone was together the show became fascinating. I think it is a show that would greatly benefit from a second viewing. 

[QueenAlice]

Hey Gang --  I had about 30 people PM me for an extra playbill, and unfortunately I only have 10 to give out. So sorry I can't accommodate all the requests. If anyone is seeing the show this week can report back if the playbill has indeed changed that would be helpful. Many of the requests were from people who are planning to see the show "soon," and if the Playbill hasn't changed, some of those requests may not be necessary.

[Jshan05]

I'm seeing the show Saturday night and will check on the playbill! If it's the original one, I'll try my best and grab a few! ??

[uncageg]

Was just told that the new ones arrived today. Someone here told me. Will let them tell what they know.

[theatregoer3]

Tonight's preview has been cancelled due to Ms. McDonald being out sick. I'm actually a bit glad as this allows me to see the show a bit later in the preview process. I exchanged my tickets for a date later in April which will hopefully allow them some time to work out some of the kinks in the show that have been mentioned here. I still have very high hopes for this show and it will be my first time seeing Ms. McDonald perform live!

[uncageg]

Hope she is back tomorrow. Hope she isn't too sick and is feeling better.

[mattmarkowski99]

I literally just bought tickets for tomorrow night, and then I read your post. I pray that she'll be back tomorrow. Where did you hear that she was out?

[uncageg]

mattmarkowski99 said: "I literally just bought tickets for tomorrow night, and then I read your post. I pray that she'll be back tomorrow. Where did you hear that she was out?"

 

Seems this would have been announced here or on Playbill.com.

 

[mattmarkowski99]

That's what I thought too, but I cannot seem to find any information about. Nothing was even posted on twitter from Shuffle Along or Audra.

[ACL2006]

when did they announce this?? The show was up at TKTS up until 8pm.

[uncageg]

Just saw mention of last night's cancellation on facebook.

[musicaltheatreman2]

If anyone has any extra copies to spare of the original playbill I would love a copy of one. Please PM if so. Thank you :) 

[Jshan05]

musicaltheatreman2 said: "If anyone has any extra copies to spare of the original playbill I would love a copy of one. Please PM if so. Thank you :) "

 

Hey man--I got your PM and I tried to respond but it said you didn't accept PMs. Anyways, I am happy to try and pick up a few extras if the original one is still there this weekend. From what some posters have said above though, I thought they already rolled out the new one? Is this correct, folks?

[QueenAlice]

Reportedly, the new playbill was scheduled to be distributed last night but of course the show was cancelled. I'm sure we will get a report tonight.  I'm curious if they will keep the beautiful play-within-a play program insert. That's got to be expensive to maintain.

[ACL2006]

There's nothing on Shuffle Along's Facebook page about last night's cancellation.

[Jshan05]

QueenAlice said: "Reportedly, the new playbill was scheduled to be distributed last night but of course the show was cancelled. I'm sure we will get a report tonight.  I'm curious if they will keep the beautiful play-within-a play program insert. That's got to be expensive to maintain."

 

OHhhh ok. Well I'll be interested to hear if it switches out. If nobody reports back sooner, I can let people know on Saturday night when I go!