Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed 2016
Ages: 6+
Opened: April 28, 2016Closing: 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
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
Broadway Review: ‘Shuffle Along’
8 / 10
Both the opening and closing numbers of this ebullient show pay homage to alumni of the original production of 'Shuffle Along' and those who followed. Florence Mills didn't join the show until Gertrude Saunders was fired (both characters are played here by the dynamic Adrienne Warren), and Josephine Baker had to wait until she turned 16 to officially sign on. But Adelaide Hall was in the chorus of Jazz Jasmines. And the refined Lottie Gee, played here by that goddess we mortals know as Audra McDonald, was the star of the original production.
'Shuffle Along' review: Thrilling musical with A-list cast
9 / 10
Like its mouthful of a title, 'Shuffle Along or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed,' is not a conventional show...The result is a bold and wistful, playful and important musical-about-a-musical. It is overstuffed with ambition and talent, sure, but why shouldn't it be? There is so much to tell and as much to soak in and enjoy, thanks to a thrilling A-list cast...Indeed, there is a lot of exposition, a few too many back stories and, every so often, the narrative inertia of an illustrated history. But what illustrations these are -- choreographed for the terrific dancing chorus by Savion Glover with both a combination of the dazzling, syncopated black-tapping tradition and his own special full-footed, stomping identity.
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Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What productions of Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed have there been?
Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed has had 1 productions including Broadway which opened in 2016.
What Tony Awards has Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed been nominated for?
Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed has been nominated for the following Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical for George C. Wolfe, Best Choreography for Savion Glover, Best Costume Design of a Musical for Ann Roth, Best Direction of a Musical for George C. Wolfe, Best Lighting Design of a Musical for Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, Best Orchestrations for Daryl Waters, and Best Scenic Design of a Musical for Santo Loquasto.
What awards has Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed been nominated for?
Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed has been nominated for several awards, including Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, Outstanding Choreographer at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Savion Glover, Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Ann Roth, Outstanding Choreography at the Drama Desk Awards for Savion Glover, Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Ann Roth, Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, Outstanding Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Scott Lehrer, and Outstanding Wig and Hair at the Drama Desk Awards for Mia M. Neal.
What awards has Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed won?
Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed has won several awards, including Best Musical from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. Savion Glover received the Outstanding Choreographer award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards, while Ann Roth won for Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical). At the Drama Desk Awards, Savion Glover was recognized for Outstanding Choreography, Ann Roth for Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical, Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer for Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical, and Scott Lehrer for Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical. Mia M. Neal also won for Outstanding Wig and Hair at the Drama Desk Awards.
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