Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Alex Kulak2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/16
#1Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/4/24 at 12:17pm
I've always been curious about Shuffle Along's life after Broadway, or rather, its lack of life. It's been 8 years since this show opened, earned pretty solid reviews, and scored 10 Tony nominations (the second most nominated show of the year after Hamilton), and since then, we've gotten no cast recording, no amateur licensing, and not a single regional production anywhere in the world. Shows get lost to history all the time, but not shows this critically lauded. Something just seems off.
Falsettolands
Featured Actor Joined: 11/18/13
#2Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/4/24 at 12:24pm
I really think it's just a matter of the lack of a recording. The producers didn't invest in one, which is virtually a death sentence for any regional or amateur productions to be pursued.
#3Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/4/24 at 12:27pm
I think Scott Rudin has incredible taste but he is ruthless when one of his shows closes. It's like he doesn't care one bit if it's ever spoken about again.
#4Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/4/24 at 12:38pm
If I had to hazard a guess, it seems to be a byproduct of a project that was so tailor-suited to its artists in the moment. George C. Wolfe was directing his own material, the stacked cast was a core selling point, and Savion Glover's choreography was the real star of the show. And as mentioned, the lack of a cast recording, which was probably a result of a lack of money, especially combined with the contentious way that the production all suddenly fell apart, and the fact that it's a dance-driven jukebox musical (i.e. not best showcased by an album).
None of these are reasons that they COULD'NT give the production an album or a future life, but it limits the incentive for everyone involved to go through that process. Especially because, as TotallyEffed said, that hasn't historically been Scott Rudin's primary concern.
#5Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/4/24 at 12:48pm
Shuffle Along remains one of the most thrilling musicals I've ever seen on Broadway, even if its ambitions got the better of it in its second act. But what was happening on that stage, when it all worked- which was often, and certainly more often than many musicals- was just... truly something else.
It should've had a tryout, or an Off-Broadway debut, so its problems didn't have to get worked out under so much scrutiny and in so little time. And of course, it opened the same season as Hamilton, so it was always going to be overshadowed (Shuffle Along could've- and should've- won Tonys that year, especially for Savion Glover's incredible choreography). And then, of course, it had a rather ignoble end with Rudin pulling the plug early and then getting into a spat with Audra McDonald over her pregnancy.
I'm inclined to pin a lot of why it's faded from memory so quickly on Rudin being ruthless and vindictive. But I wish we at least got a real cast album. It deserves to be heard again.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#6Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/4/24 at 1:24pm
The lack of licensing is likely a contractual & legal matter.
A GM or lawyer probably needs to go to George Wolfe and Daryl Waters and the 4 original authors' estates (though is the 1921 version now in the Public Domain?) and Scott Rudin and possibly Savion Glover to pull all the pieces together.
I'm a little surprised Concord hasn't, as I believe they had licensed the original Shuffle Along and might also see upside in producing a Studio Cast Album with some or all of the original cast.
I have heard that there were differences in opinion about the Opening Night version of the show, which could mean that key person(s) may not want to sign off on licensing the show as it was when it closed at the Music Box.
Damiensta
Stand-by Joined: 5/11/12
#7Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/4/24 at 1:26pm
My guess is there were a lot of NDAs regarding production
#8Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/4/24 at 1:30pm
It was an extraordinary experience. I was about to call it a "flawed, extraordinary experience," but it was so much more exciting than virtually everything to come since that it that it feels churlish to talk about any unwieldy qualities it had. I also have to say that it was an extremely rare treat to see a director ACTUALLY USE THE PREVIEW PERIOD to make truly massive and unprecious changes in clarifying and strengthening the work. It's felt like shows are so stingily produced and technically complex that they are virtually locked in by the time Broadway previews begin, save pacing and some little tweaks. This show was a completely different piece between first preview and closing. It lost a lot of interesting stuff and yet just kept getting better as a whole.
#9Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/4/24 at 2:12pm
Did it get a Lincoln Center taping?
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#10Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/4/24 at 2:18pm
Scarywarhol said: "Did it get a Lincoln Center taping?"
It did get recorded for the NYPL TOFT Archive, but it is restricted and unavailable for viewing. Perhaps for the reasons cited in this thread.
#11Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/4/24 at 2:21pm
ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "The lack of licensing is likelya contractual & legal matter.
A GM or lawyerprobably needs to go to George Wolfe and Daryl Waters and the 4 original authors' estates(though is the 1921 version now in thePublic Domain?) and Scott Rudin and possibly Savion Gloverto pull all the pieces together.
I'm a little surprised Concord hasn't, as I believe they had licensed the original Shuffle Along and might also see upside in producing a Studio Cast Albumwith some or all of the original cast.
I have heard that there were differences in opinion about the Opening Night versionof the show, which could mean that key person(s) may not want to sign off on licensing the show as it was when itclosed at the Music Box."
The songs from Shuffle Along are in the public domain, so I cannot imagine rights with the Sissle and Blake estates are an issue now.
I hope the recent success of Jelly's Last Jam puts attention back on Shuffle Along, which is really kind of a companion piece that covers a lot of similar ideas and themes.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Fan123
Broadway Star Joined: 8/30/08
#12Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/5/24 at 2:10am
Was there ever a publicly-disclosed outcome to that lawsuit between the show's producers and its insurers, regarding Audra McDonald's pregnancy (https://playbill.com/article/shuffle-along-producers-sue-lloyds-of-london)?
bear88
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/26/16
#13Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/5/24 at 5:35am
I saw Shuffle Along in the middle of previews, meaning that I saw a different version of the musical than in early previews or after it opened. The ridiculous talent of the cast, the ‘Pennsylvania Graveyard Shuffle’ dance, Savion Glover’s choreography in general, Audra, the irresistibly charming Brandon Victor Dixon, the absurdly talented Adrienne Warren, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Joshua Henry, even Amber Iman on an early dual role. I’m leaving out Brooks Ashmanskas and Billy Porter. Fifth row orchestra seats. On my first trip to New York City in more than two decades, I saw a bunch of performers I would see a lot of going forward in one night. That was a stacked cast.
Did everything work? No. But the first act was a lot of fun, and the work-in-progress second act was fascinating, including performances that I think were cut.
I assume all of the rest of you are correct about the reasons the show vanished. Glad I saw it.
#14Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/5/24 at 8:40am
I absolutely loved this show, and saw it 4 times over the course of its brief run. By the time I saw it in late previews the show seemed pretty frozen. I wish I had seen it in early previews just to see how much the show changed. I can't believe Audra wasn't nominated for a Tony for her role. I also saw Darlesia Cearcy twice as Lottie Gee twice. She was wonderful. I'm disappointed that a cast recording was never made.
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
#15Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/5/24 at 9:06am
This was such a fascinating show. I saw the second preview which ran almost 3 and a half hours! I went back post opening, and the show was, obviously, much tighter and streamlined. I enjoyed it a lot, and the Playbill from this show still remains one of my favorite Playbills I have in my collection... great artwork and a cool insert!
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
#16Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/5/24 at 9:13am
Has anyone read "When Broadway Went Black"? It seems to be all about the original Shuffle Along.
"Ok ok ok ok ok ok ok. Have you guys heard about fidget spinners!?" ~Patti LuPone
#17Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/5/24 at 9:55am
fashionguru_23 said: "Has anyone read "When Broadway Went Black"? It seems to be all about the original Shuffle Along."
It’s an excellent & fascinating read. I have the first iteration of it (titled “FOOTNOTES: The Black Artists Who Rewrote the Rules of the Great White Way”). The author, Caseen Gaines, is coming out with a book about The Wiz next year, and has a few other really interesting books. Highly recommend!
The lack of a Shuffle Along cast recording is interesting, considering the 8-song soundboard recording they sent out to Tony voters. I can only assume the answer lies in those listed earlier in this thread.
I will stay hopeful that the lack of any productions since 2016 will open the door for a fabulous Encores! production in the next 5-10 years.
I am big. It’s the REVIVALS that got small.
#18Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/5/24 at 10:00am
It’s also very possible that Wolfe was not satisfied with the show as it ended up being frozen on Broadway and considers it to be unfinished.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#19Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/5/24 at 10:10am
Fan123 said: "Was there ever a publicly-disclosed outcome to that lawsuit between the show's producers and its insurers, regarding Audra McDonald's pregnancy (https://playbill.com/article/shuffle-along-producers-sue-lloyds-of-london)?"
I don't know, but Audra was slated to work with Rudin again after SHUFFLE ALONG on more than one project. It may be that he notified her in advance that they'd be pursuing the lawsuit of the show's insurance company, since they had Star Insurance on her (they were never suing Audra herself). Perhaps she was fine with going along with the various doctor appointments and sharing relevant med records.
A Broadway show or film taking out insurance policy for the Star or Director or other key personnel is extremely common and rarely has to be used, which is why it got press attention here.
#20Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/5/24 at 10:30am
Fan123 said: "Was there ever a publicly-disclosed outcome to that lawsuit between the show's producers and its insurers, regarding Audra McDonald's pregnancy (https://playbill.com/article/shuffle-along-producers-sue-lloyds-of-london)?"
Wasn’t Audra always expected to be leaving the production to go do the London production of Lady Day? They had already announced Audras replacement and that Savion was going to join the show by the time Audra announced she was pregnant, no? This lawsuit just seemed super desperate to me, but I guess lawsuits are always desperate.
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#21Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/5/24 at 12:16pm
"Wasn’t Audra always expected to be leaving the production to go do the London production of Lady Day?"
Yes but she was scheduled to return. A pregnancy related absence would have been much longer than what was originally planned and accounted for. It's also possible she said she wasn't planning on return at all. I'm not arguing the lawsuit had merit but it was a genuinely different situation
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AEA AGMA SM
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/13/09
#22Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/5/24 at 12:45pm
ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "A Broadway show or film taking out insurance policy for the Star or Director or other key personnel is extremely common and rarely has to be used, which is why it got press attention here."
Hell, there’s a whole scene in All That Jazz going over the various scenarios and insurance payouts if Joe Gideon dies or is unable to resume production after all his heart troubles.
#23Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/5/24 at 1:23pm
GiantsInTheSky2 said: "The author, Caseen Gaines, is coming out with a book about The Wiz next year,"
Way to bury the lede. I want a new thread on this, author interviews and updates and a publication date. I want all of this yesterday.
KnewItWhenIWasInFron
Leading Actor Joined: 6/23/14
#24Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/5/24 at 3:34pm
I do think those who suggest it's mostly the "Hamilton" effect are right. I saw "Shuffle Along" the night after I saw "Hamilton" and actually preferred "Shuffle Along" (loved both, though). I still think about that suitcase dance. (At one point, it could be found online -- they did it on that Maya Rudolph/Martin Short variety show that had a brief run -- but I think it has vanished.)
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#25Why did Shuffle Along fall off the face of the Earth?
Posted: 3/5/24 at 3:43pm
I don't know how much Hamilton had to do with anything. Shuffle was such an artsy show that even if it won choreo and a Supporting award and some design awards, it may not have lasted.
Scott Rudin was also pretty bad at marketing musicals beyond promoting the names involved, which in the case of Shuffle appealed to only a finite number of people.
As for the Best Musical race: we can't really look at it like just subtracting Ham from the equation, because MANY other shows held off till the next season because of Hamilton's early dominance. Without Hamilton, the entire crop of musicals would have looked quite different.
