Shuffle Along Sets Return Start Date After Audra McDonald's Illness

After cancelling all previews this week through March 24 because of its leading lady Audra McDonald's illness, Shuffle Along, Or, The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, will resume performances on March 25. “I’d much rather be on stage at the Music Box than at home with my Dr. Nelson’s Inhaler and Mucinex, but unfortunately with this nasty cold, I’m sounding less like my character Lottie Gee and more like Animal from The Muppets,” the six-time Tony winner said in a statement. “I miss my Shuffle Along colleagues and am looking forward to returning to the show as soon as I can.”

The production's previously announced hiatus, beginning March 28 and resuming April 2, will now end one day earlier, with an added performance on April 1 at Broadway's Music Box Theatre. The break is to allow time for rewriting and restaging. The musical, which began performances on March 15, is still set to open on April 28 at the Music Box Theatre.

The company also includes Billy Porter, Brooks Ashmanskas, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Joshua Henry and Brandon Victor Dixon. McDonald will not appear in performances from June 20 through September 11; she is scheduled to return on September 13.

The show combines the 1921 musical Shuffle Along with the backstory of the people who brought it to life, including the songwriting team Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle and bookwriters Aubrey Lyles and F.E. Miller. Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk collaborators George C. Wolfe and Savion Glover have reunited to direct and choreograph, respectively. Wolfe also penned the new book.

Broadway.com customers with tickets to the canceled performances will be contacted with information on refunds or exchanges.