Feature: SHUFFLE ALONG Through the Ages! A Look at the History of One of Broadway's Most Anticipated Shows

SHUFFLE ALONG was an unlikely hit in 1921. It was one of the first Broadway shows starring, written, and directed by African Americans, but it has been overwhelming ignored in theatre history ever since. Ninety-five years later, George C. Wolfe is preparing to bring the show back to Broadway, having updated the book himself.

This production will not only bring the show's original music and lyrics back to the stage, but it will also tell the backstage story of its creation, and the impact it had on the theatre scene. Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed is set to shuffle onto Broadway this Tuesday, so we're taking a look back at the show that inspired this new production, and it's unique place in theatrical history.

Wolfe's goal is to tell two stories; the show's original plot and the behind-the-scenes story of the real-life actors and writers whose lives were changed when the musical became a success.

SHUFFLE ALONG premiered at the 63rd Street Music Hall on May 23, 1921, and closed on July 15, 1922, running for 484 performances, which was unusually long for the time. It was a musical comedy by composer Eubie Blake, and lyricist Noble Sissle, about a corrupt mayoral election in Jimtown, USA, and featured one of the first sophisticated black love stories.

Despite its success, SHUFFLE ALONG did not have an easy time making it to the stage. When the revue arrived in New York after pre-Broadway tryouts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, it brought with it a debt of what would today be over $200,000. They opened in a theater on West 63rd that was a converted lecture hall, without a true stage or orchestra pit.

Against the odds, the show became a hit, and proved that a white audience would be willing to embrace a black show, which helped legitimize the often overlooked African American musical. SHUFFLE ALONG was the beginning of an era for African Americans on Broadway. It helped lead to the desegregation of theaters in the 1920s by both allowing black actors to appear on Broadway, as well as allowing black audiences to sit in the orchestra, instead of restricting them to the balcony, which had been common practice.

Interestingly, the show technically would have been Off-Broadway because of it's 63rd Street location, but was considered to be a Broadway production because of the price of the ticket, $2.00 for the most expensive orchestra seats. SHUFFLE ALONG was so popular, 63rd Street had to become a one-way to accommodate the traffic jams that occurred before the show!

"I'm Just Wild About Harry," a song from the musical, successfully broke the taboo against theatrical depictions of romantic love between African-Americans, and became well-known to, and well-loved by, the general American public. The song was eventually used by Harry S. Truman during his 1948 presidential campaign and was interpolated into the 1939 movie BABES IN ARMS, where it was sung by Judy Garland.

Judy Garland singing "I'm Just Wild About Harry" in the 1939 movie BABES IN ARMS:

Another success that came from SHUFFLE ALONG was Josephine Baker, who joined the Broadway cast when she turned 16. Baker was an American-born, French dancer, singer, and actress. She was the first black woman to star in a major motion picture, or become a world-renowned entertainer. Baker was not only a famous entertainer, but also an influential Civil Rights activist, refusing to play for segregated audiences, and working with the NAACP. In 1963, she was the only female speaker at the historic March on Washington.

She was even approached by Coretta Scott King following Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, and was asked to take his place as the leader of the American Civil Rights Movement, an offer which she ultimately turned down. SHUFFLE ALONG gave Baker her start, and allowed her to use her power to help other African Americans.

A clip of Josephine Baker in ZOUZOU:

People like Josephine Baker and the influence of SHUFFLE ALONG helped pave the way for other African American stars of stage and screen, including Audra McDonald, one of the stars of SHUFFLE ALONG OR THE MAKING OF THE MUSICAL SENSATION OF 1921 AND ALL THAT FOLLOWED. McDonald is a six-time Tony Award winner, winning more Tonys than any other actor, and the only person to win the award for all four acting categories.

Audra McDonald's success would not be possible without the work and success of those who came before her, and that is part of the story this production of SHUFFLE ALONG OR THE MAKING OF THE MUSICAL SENSATION OF 1921 AND ALL THAT FOLLOWED aims to tell.

SHUFFLE ALONG OR THE MAKING OF THE MUSICAL SENSATION OF 1921 AND ALL THAT FOLLOWED is directed by George C. Wolfe, and will star Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Billy Porter, Brandon Victor Dixon, and Joshua Henry, with original music and lyrics by Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake. Previews begin March 15, 2016 at the Music Box Theatre.