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Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed 2016

Ages: 6+
Opened: April 28, 2016
Closing: July 24, 2016

Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed - 2016 Broadway History , Info & More

Music Box Theatre (Broadway)
239 West 45th St. New York, NY

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.

Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Billy Porter, Brandon Victor Dixon, and Joshua Henry will star in SHUFFLE ALONG Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, a striking new production that presents both the 1921 musical itself, and additionally 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.

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.


Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed - 2016 - Broadway Cast

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PREVIEW Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed - 2016 - Broadway

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed

Shuffle Along or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed
8 / 10

The first half is sensational; the second is difficult, in terms of our heroes' postsuccess fates and how engagingly their narratives play out. But with a cast this incandescent (I haven't even mentioned Audra McDonald's tender, guarded brilliance as diva Lottie Gee) and Wolfe staging a constant flow of miracles, there's an overflow of joy and style that smooths over stylistic rough edges and knotty stitching of history to myth...Above all, we can luxuriate in a breathtaking piece of showmanship, featuring more talent crowding a stage than pretty much any other Broadway show at present (and yes, that includes Hamilton)...Oh, and there's dance-miles and miles of ecstatic, syncopated genius courtesy of Savion Glover.

Theater Review: Shuffle Along Is a Gorgeously Staged, Life-Changing Show
10 / 10

This review might have begun 'Audra Smiles!' -- so unusual and uplifting is it to see our leading vocal tragedienne in a part that (until Act Two) is essentially as light as a soubrette's. McDonald sings beautifully, of course; the role sits mostly in the thrilling upper part of her range. But you may not have remembered...what she can do with comic phrasing...As if that weren't enough, she taps (as everyone else does) with a nearly reckless vigor, despite the impossibly subdivided counts of Glover's syncopations. By the time she brings Act One to a rousing climax with the huge success of the show-within-a-show, you may feel that the outer show too is one of the best old-fashioned entertainments -- tunes, dances, comedy, costumes, the whole hotcha package -- to hit Broadway in years.

Audra McDonald at Center of SHUFFLE ALONG Insurance Lawsuit
by Jessica Khan - November 14, 2016


Powerhouse Broadway couple Audra McDonald and Will Swenson just welcomed their new baby girl into the world, and the Broadway community can't wait to see what kind of star she'll grow into. But in the midst of this joy, the producers of SHUFFLE ALONG, which McDonald departed early due to her surprise pregnancy at the age of 45, has sued its insurer Lloyd's of London for refusing to cover the losses caused by the Tony winner's exit.

BWW Flashback: We've Got the Broadway Blues... SHUFFLE ALONG Takes Final Bow Tonight
by BWW Special Coverage - July 24, 2016


SHUFFLE ALONG will play its final Broadway performance today, July 24, 2016, the day six-time Tony-winning star Audra McDonald was already set to depart the production for a multi-month maternity leave. SHUFFLE ALONG began performances on March 15, 2016 and officially opened on April 28 at the Music Box Theatre. It will have played 38 previews and 100 regular performances by the time it ends. Below, BroadwayWorld takes you back through the show's Broadway journey!

TWITTER WATCH: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Laura Benanti Visit Billy Porter, Brian Stokes Mitchell at SHUFFLE ALONG
by Michael Dale - July 14, 2016


Lin-Manuel Miranda tweets high praise for the show and for Audra McDonald's understudy Darlesia Cearcy.

Adrienne Warren joins DUETS with thewriteteachers.com: LGBTQ+ Edition at Birdland on August 8th
by Nora Dominick - July 12, 2016


Tony Award Nominee Adrienne Warren (Shuffle Along) joins the cast of DUETS with thewriteteachers.com: LGBTQ+ Edition, at Birdland Jazz on August 8th. DUETS with thewriteteachers.com: LGBTQ+ Edition is proudly presented by the Broadway at Birdland concert series. This one-night-only event will benefit the One Orlando Fund. 

TWITTER WATCH: SHUFFLE ALONG's Audra McDonald Admits To Fangirling Over Disney Junior's Doc McStuffins
by Michael Dale - July 6, 2016


The pregnant Broadway stars says she will definitely be showing the animated program to her little one.

Top 10- Celebrate Audra McDonald's Birthday With Our Favorite Performances!
by Nora Dominick - July 3, 2016


Happy Birthday Audra McDonald!! Today is six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald's birthday and to celebrate her special day BroadwayWorld has decided to round up some of our favorite Audra McDonald videos!

FACEBOOK WATCH: Billy Porter Welcomes Tommy Tune and Andrea Martin To SHUFFLE ALONG
by Michael Dale - June 29, 2016


The legendary dancer/director/choreographer and the great Broadway clown greet the Tony-winning star backstage.

SHUFFLE ALONG Sets Sudden Broadway Closing After Audra McDonald Departs
by Robert Diamond - June 23, 2016


The New York Times is reporting that Shuffle Along will close on July 24th, currently the date of Audra McDonald's departure citing a low advance for after she leaves the show. 

Photo Coverage: SHUFFLE ALONG Chorus Presented with Equity's ACCA Award
by Jennifer Broski - June 21, 2016


Earlier today, Actors' Equity Association presented Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed with the tenth annual ACCA Award for Outstanding Broadway Chorus. Presented by Equity's Advisory Committee on Chorus Affairs (ACCA) the ACCA Award is the only industry accolade of its kind to honor the distinctive talents and contributions made by the original chorus members of a Broadway musical.

SHUFFLE ALONG's Chorus to Receive Equity's 10th Annual ACCA Award
by Tyler Peterson - June 15, 2016


Actors' Equity Association (Equity) today announced that Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed will receive the tenth annual ACCA Award for Outstanding Broadway Chorus.  Presented by Equity's Advisory Committee on Chorus Affairs (ACCA) the ACCA Award is the only industry accolade of its kind to honor the distinctive talents and contributions made by the original chorus members of a Broadway musical. 

VIDEO: The Cast of SHUFFLE ALONG Performs on the TONY AWARDS
by Caryn Robbins - June 12, 2016


The cast of SHUFFLE ALONG performed a rousing number from the Tony nominated musical. Watch the clip below!

Photo Flash: Tinkerbelle the Dog Visits Broadway's SHUFFLE ALONG
by Tyler Peterson - June 9, 2016


The cast of Broadway's SHUFFLE ALONG got a visit from Tinkerbelle the Dog recently - check out photos below!

Photo Coverage: Meet the Nominees - SHUFFLE ALONG's Brandon Victor Dixon
by Walter McBride - June 7, 2016


On May 4, the 2016 Tony nominees flocked to the Paramount Hotel, where they met with the press for the first time since getting the big news. BroadwayWorld will continue bringing you coverage from the epic day over the next week, but for now, check out photos of Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical nominee for Shuffle Along, Brandon Victor Dixon, as captured by Walter McBride!

SHUFFLE ALONG's Brian Stokes Mitchell Set for Tonight's 'Metrofocus' on THIRTEEN
by Caryn Robbins - June 6, 2016


When it comes to acting, Brian Stokes Mitchell has done it all from television, to film and Broadway.

VIDEO: Savion Glover & Cast of SHUFFLE ALONG Perform on NBC's 'Maya & Marty'
by Caryn Robbins - June 1, 2016


On last night's premiere episode of the new NBC variety series MAYA AND MARTY, Savion Glover and the cast of SHUFFLE ALONG performed 'The Pennsylvania Graveyard Shuffle,' from the new Broadway musical.

Bid For A Backstage Tour From SHUFFLE ALONG's Brooks Ashmanskas, Support Transport Group
by Michael Dale - May 23, 2016


One of Broadway's funniest performers offers a backstage tour in a new Charitybuzz auction.

TWITTER WATCH: SHUFFLE ALONG's New Star Rhiannon Giddens Gets Her First Taste of Tap Dancing
by Michael Dale - May 13, 2016


Her singing has helped her win a Grammy, but her Broadway debut will require her to learn tap dancing.

TV: SHUFFLE ALONG Tony Nominees Celebrate the News; Plus New Performance Footage!
by BroadwayWorld TV - May 12, 2016


A re-imagined version of the 1921 musical SHUFFLE ALONG, one of the earliest stage hits starring, written and directed by African-Americans, opened on April 28 on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre. The musical nabbed a total of 10 Tony nominations this year, including nods for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Featured Actor and Actress, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Direction, Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations. BroadwayWorld recently caught up with the nominees -- hear what they had to say about the show, plus watch new performance highlights, in the video below!

Savion Glover Will Join the Cast of SHUFFLE ALONG This Summer!
by Nicole Rosky - May 10, 2016


It's all good news today at the Music Box Theare... and we aren't just talking about Audra McDonald's pregnancy. It was also announced that during Ms. McDonald's hiatus from the production, Savion Glover, SHUFFLE ALONG's Tony Award-nominated choreographer, and widely considered to be the world's greatest living tap dancer, will step into the show, as envisioned by the Director and Book writer, George C. Wolfe.

VIDEOS: SHUFFLE ALONG's Grammy-Winning New Star Rhiannon Giddens Will Sub During Audra McDonald's Maternity Leave
by Michael Dale - May 10, 2016


The country blues singer will be making her Broadway debut as Lottie Gee.

Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed History

Other Productions of Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed

2016   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway

Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed - 2016 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2017 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Choreographer Savion Glover
2017 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) Ann Roth
2016 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Choreography Savion Glover
2016 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical Ann Roth
2016 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical Peggy Eisenhauer
2016 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical Jules Fisher
2016 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Musical Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed
2016 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical Scott Lehrer
2016 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Wig and Hair Mia M. Neal
2016 New York Drama Critics Circle Awards Best Musical Shuffle Along, or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and all that Followed
2016 Tony Awards Best Book of a Musical George C. Wolfe
2016 Tony Awards Best Choreography Savion Glover
2016 Tony Awards Best Costume Design of a Musical Ann Roth
2016 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical George C. Wolfe
2016 Tony Awards Best Lighting Design of a Musical Jules Fisher
2016 Tony Awards Best Lighting Design of a Musical Peggy Eisenhauer
2016 Tony Awards Best Musical Shuffle Along, Or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed
2016 Tony Awards Best Orchestrations Daryl Waters
2016 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Brandon Victor Dixon
2016 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical Adrienne Warren
2016 Tony Awards Best Scenic Design of a Musical Santo Loquasto

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