Have you got those Broadway Blues? Shake 'em away May 22 at 54 Below, where the Tony-honored cabaret venue will be celebrating the groundbreaking musical Shuffle Along.
Shuffle Along, which kickstarted the Harlem Renaissance in 1921, was one of the first all-Black Broadway sensations. In 2016, the musical was partially revived, using the music of the original to explore the history of the production with stars Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Joshua Henry, Billy Porter, and Brandon Victor Dixon.
Noble Sissle, Jr., the son of original lyricist Noble Sissle, will host both of the May 22 concerts, which will be presented live at 7 and 9:30 PM. The 7 PM performance will also be live streamed.
Produced and directed by Caseen Gaines, 54 Sings Shuffle Along will feature Major Attaway, Phillip Attmore, Carmen Ruby Floyd, Afra Hines, James Jackson, Jr., John Manzari, Kimberly Marable (9:30 performance), John-Andrew Morrison, Lance Roberts, and Chelsea Lee Williams.
Said Gaines: "I am honored that the children of Noble Sissle are joining us at 54 Sings Shuffle Along. The original 1921 production was a watershed moment for racial representation, and I look forward to celebrating its legacy with direct descendants of one of theatre's most significant trailblazers."
In a statement, Sissle, Jr. agrees. "The Noble Sissle family is grateful to Caseen for ensuring the music and historic achievements of our Dad, Granddad, and Great Granddad live on. Hosting this event will allow us to share some great family history and present never-before-seen video of Dad and his lifelong collaborator Eubie Blake."
For more information, visit 54below.com.
