Bid To Meet SHUFFLE ALONG's Audra McDonald and Support Covenant House

There has never been a Broadway musical with the ambition of Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, director/bookwriter George C. Wolfe's exploration of the history of the landmark musical comedy SHUFFLE ALONG.

The musical that introduced Broadway audiences to the songwriting team of composer Eubie Blake and lyricist Noble Sissle was never expected to draw audiences all the way up to the 63rd Street Music Hall, but SHUFFLE ALONG ran for well over a year in an era when five or six months would be considered a success.

The new Broadway production offers a behind-the-scenes look at creation of this landmark musical, and rarely has a show featured this many great stars. Brian Stokes Mitchell, Billy Porter, Brandon Victor Dixon and Joshua Henry are all major talents, but a tip of the hat must be given to six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, one of the greatest singer/actors to ever grace a Broadway stag

CharityBuzz is now hosting an on-line auction for two house seats to see SHUFFLE ALONG on Broadway, followed by a backstage visit with Audra McDonald.

The winning bid will benefit Covenant House, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving all children in need with absolute respect and unconditional love. Covenant House offers shelter and hope for suffering homeless kids and works to protect and safeguard all children in need.

Click here to bid.

Charitybuzz's website describes the company as the place to find extraordinary experiences and luxuries to benefit remarkable charities making an impact. Their online auctions bring together hundreds of the world's most acclaimed celebrities, inspiring luminaries and beloved brands to give you unforgettable access to your passions. Plus, you can feel good knowing that every winning bid supports an incredible cause. From walk-on roles with Hollywood A-listers to power lunches with Fortune 500 CEOs, when you join Charitybuzz every dream is a new way to make a difference.

Now previewng, Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, is a 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 groundbreaking work.

SHUFFLE ALONG has a new book and is directed by George C. Wolfe, choreographed by Savion Glover, and stars six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, Tony Award winners Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter, and Tony Award nominees Brandon Victor Dixon and Joshua Henry, heading a cast of 34. Opening night is Thursday, April 28 at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45 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.

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