Ann Pennington: The Woman in SHUFFLE ALONG's New Artwork

George C. Wolfe's upcoming SHUFFLE ALONG, OR, THE MAKING OF THE MUSICAL SENSATION OF 1921 AND ALL THAT FOLLOWED, released its period-style artwork yesterday, featuring a vintage photo of a 1920s showgirl.

But that's not just any showgirl. It's Ann Pennington, whose name may be forgotten now, but who was featured in six editions of the ZIEGFELD FOLLIES and five versions of GEORGE WHITE'S SCANDALS between 1913 and 1928, as well as several other Broadway musicals.

Since the original production of SHUFFLE ALONG was Broadway's first all-black musical, it may seem odd to have a white dancer in the new production's artwork, but it was Pennington who first popularized the African-American dance The Black Bottom for white audiences in GEORGE WHITE'S SCANDALS OF 1926.

Perhaps that gives us a clue as to some of the issues Wolfe will be addressing in his new show. We'll have to wait until spring to find out.

In addition to dancing on Broadway, Pennington appeared in many early movie musicals. Here she is dancing in a 1929 feature. And yes, that Oscar Levant on piano.

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. Previews will begin Monday, March 14, 2016. Opening night is Thursday, April 21, 2016 at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street).

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.

The 2016 SHUFFLE ALONG brings the original show back to glorious life, while simultaneously telling the remarkable backstage story of both its historic creation and how it changed the world it left behind.