Tony Winners Audra McDonald, Billy Porter & More Start Previews in Shuffle Along on Broadway

The Music Box Theatre is simply full of jazz! Tony winners Audra McDonald, Billy Porter and more will begin previews in Shuffle Along, Or, The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed on March 15. Opening night is set for April 28.

The production, which bills itself as a revival, 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 will reunite to direct and choreograph, respectively. Wolfe will also pen the new book.

Shuffle Along first played Broadway and became a runaway hit in May of 1921. The show, which was expected to become an immediate flop following a back-breaking pre-Broadway tour, ended up playing for 504 performances. The story follows two friends who both run for mayor in fictional Jimtown, USA. One wins and the other is appointed chief of police, but as they fight, their opponent plots to drive them out. The original production featured the talents of such soon-to-be theatrical stalwarts as Josephine Baker, Paul Robeson and Lottie Gee.

The company will also include Brooks Ashmanskas, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Joshua Henry and Brandon Victor Dixon.

Please note that McDonald will not appear in performances from June 20 through September 25; she is scheduled to return on September 27.