Shuffle Along Tickets

The theatre industry has come a long way over the years, yet at one time in history it too was the subject of racism, like most institutions back in the day. African American actors and writers rarely got the chance to showcase their talents on the big stage, while the audiences themselves were forced to sit separately according to their individual race. However, like the rest of the country, all it needed was a little spark to get the ball rolling and set things right. All it needed was a focal point that all African Americans could rally behind and they found it in a little known production called Shuffle Along.  

Won't You Please Come Home

Shuffle Along was an anomaly when it first came out over ninety years ago. It was one of the first Broadway productions in history to feature a beautiful and moving love story between African American characters, as most other plays would use them in more comedic or frivolous roles. It was also one of the first to be conceived, directed and written in its entirety by African Americans, and even featured an all African American cast and crew, something that was unheard of at the time

The production set new standards for seating arrangements, as audiences were permitted to sit anywhere they liked, regardless of their race and color. It was also responsible for launching the careers of a host of talented African Americans, especially the actors, many of whom went on to do some amazing work for the theater industry later on in life. This musical was responsible for challenging the archaic traditions of the time as well as breaking boundaries for the plight of African Americans in the entertainment industry.

Now the story behind this amazing production is being brought to life and here is your chance to watch it for yourself. Just book your Shuffle Along tickets and enjoy this captivating story, live at the Music Box Theatre.

Everything Reminds Me of You

The original production made its debut on Broadway in 1921 and its music and lyrics were written by Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake. Both were of African American descent and had been involved in the theater industry for quite some time before they took on this responsibility. The two men met each other in 1915 and instantly struck up a friendship that would last for most of their life. They managed to stay friends and keep in touch throughout the First World War, and waited till after it had ended, before they started to work together as 'the Dixie Duo', developing Vaudeville shows for large audiences around their city.   

In 1920, they met F. E. Miller and Aubrey Lyles at a National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) event. Like the Dixie Duo, these two had been partners for quite some time and had been working in the Vaudeville industry as well. The four men got to talking after realizing they shared similar interests, and soon decided to work together. A few years ago, Miller had written a script called 'The Mayor of Dixie' and this would become the basis for Shuffle Along. The Dixie Duo wrote the music and lyrics, while the other two wrote the book, in the process creating one of the most revolutionary Broadway productions of all- time.   

Love Will Find a Way

Shuffle Along has been revived by several different productions over the years, yet none like the latest, which is called "Shuffle Along, or, the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed." This play is meant to highlight the insurmountable odds that the cast and crew were faced with during the show's development, the different interactions between different people backstage, as well as the amazing impact it had on African American society as a whole.

The new production celebrates the old one and the amazing people involved yet showcases quite accurately the world that African Americans were living in during that time, and the sacrifices they had to make to create change in the Theater industry. If you want to catch this incredible story for yourself, then here is the chance you have been looking for. Just book your Shuffle Along tickets and enjoy the show, live at the Music Box Theater.