SHUFFLE ALONG Will Offer $40 Ticket for 4/1 Performance

All available seats for the newly-added Friday, April 1 performance of SHUFFLE ALONGhave been priced at $40. This performance ends a previously planned four-day hiatus period of the production. The producers of SHUFFLE ALONG are offering this low-priced ticket as a thank you to the musical's enthusiastic fans who lined up outside the Music Box Theatre's box office from Monday, March 21 to Thursday, March 24 for the chance to purchase same-day $40 rush tickets, but who were unable to do so since those performances were cancelled as a result of the illness of Audra McDonald, one of the musical's stars.

All revenue from the April 1 performance will be donated to The Actors Fund.

In addition to Ms. McDonald, SHUFFLE ALONG stars Brian Stokes Mitchell, Billy Porter, Brandon Victor Dixon, and Joshua Henry, heading a cast of 35. Mr. Mitchell is Chairman of the Board of The Actors' Fund.

"Our producer, Scott Rudin, came up with the idea of dedicating a preview of 'Shuffle Along' to The Actors Fund," said Brian Stokes Mitchell. "Our fans will now have the opportunity to buy a low-priced ticket to Friday night's performance and contribute to this great organization as well." Mitchell added, "It's a real win-win for everyone."

"Creating an opportunity for people to support The Actors Fund at a very special preview of 'Shuffle Along' is really wonderful," commented The Fund's CEO Joe Benincasa. "We are especially excited because our Board Chair, Brian Stokes Mitchell, stars in the production with a whole company of dedicated Fund supporters."

THE ACTORS FUND is a national human services organization that helps everyone- performers and those behind the scenes-who works in performing arts and entertainment. Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, The Fund's programs include social services and emergency financial assistance, health care and insurance counseling, housing, and employment and training services. With offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, The Actors Fund is a safety net for those in need, crisis or transition.

This revival of SHUFFLE ALONG, the 1921 musical sensation with a score by Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake and an original book by F.E. Miller and Aubrey Lyles, has a new book by George C. Wolfe, choreography by Savion Glover, direction by Mr. Wolfe, and opens onThursday, April 28 at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45 Street).

The production features music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations by Daryl Waters, scenic design by Santo Loquasto, costume design by Ann Roth, lighting design by Jules Fisher & Peggy Eisenhauer, and sound design by Scott Lehrer. Shelton Becton is musical director.

Tickets to SHUFFLE ALONG are available at the Music Box Theatre box office, by calling (212)239-6200, or at Telecharge.com.