Audra McDonald Will Take 3 Months Away from SHUFFLE ALONG in Summer 2016

BroadwayWorld has just learned that six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, who will star next spring in Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, will take a break from the show next summer. An official show rep commented: "Due to a pre-existing commitment, Audra McDonald will not appear in Shuffle Along from Tuesday, June 21 to Sunday, September 25, 2016. Miss McDonald will return to Shuffle Along beginning Tuesday, September 27 and is currently contracted to stay with the production through Sunday, June 11, 2017."

There is no word yet on what she will be up to during her months away.

Joining McDonald are Tony Award winners Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter, and Tony Award nominees Brandon Victor Dixon and Joshua Henry in the 30-member cast of Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed will be Brooks Ashmanskas, Felicia Boswell, Amber Iman, Adrienne Warren, Phillip Attmore, Darius de Haas, C.K. Edwards, Afra Hines, Curtis Holland, Adrienne Howard, Kendrick Jones, Lisa LaTouche, Alicia Lundgren, J.C. Montgomery, Erin N. Moore, Janelle Neal, Brittany Parks, Arbender Robinson, Karissa Royster, Britton Smith, Zurin Villanueva, Christian Dante White, J.L. Williams, Pamela Yasutake, and Richard Riaz Yoder.

SHUFFLE ALONG Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed will have a new book by George C. Wolfe, choreography by Savion Glover, and direction by Mr. Wolfe, and 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).

SHUFFLE ALONG Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed will have music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations by Daryl Waters. The production will feature scenic design by Santo Loquasto, costume design by Ann Roth, sound design by Scott Lehrer, and lighting design by Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer. Shelton Becton will be the Musical Director.

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 yet 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, unforgettable 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 Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed brings the original show back to glorious life, while simultaneously telling the heretofore unknown backstage saga of its creation - and how it changed the world it left behind.

Audra McDonald will star as the 1920s headliner Lottie Gee, the star of the original Shuffle Along. Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter will portray the book writers and performers F.E. Miller and Aubrey Lyles, and Brandon Victor Dixon and Joshua Henry will play the songwriting team of Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake.

SHUFFLE ALONG Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed will be produced by Scott Rudin.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos