Not blackface but black faces. Well, blackface too.

March 25, 2016 7:31 AM

He wanted to do not “Shuffle Along” but the making of “Shuffle Along” (official title: “Shuffle Along, or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed”). He would tell the story of the original creators and cast and how they pulled it off ... Interesting approach, you say, sounds great. But to make it work, you couldn’t stint on the dancing and the songs. Those were what made the show go: syncopation, fire, artistry.
posted by ChuraChura (5 comments total)

I'm really excited for Shuffle Along, although they seem to be having a lot of issues right now. Audra McDonald has been very sick, and they've had to cancel all of the previews this week so far, and then they go on hiatus to work on the show from March 27 through April 1. With a hard deadline of having to open in a few weeks, I hope they can get this all figured out (and the show down to less than 3 hours and 15 minutes, which is the current running time.)
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:49 AM on March 25, 2016 [1 favorite]

By the way John Jeremiah Sullivan wrote this excellent article. I have long been a fan of his essays. This is definitely worth reading. Thank you for posting it.
posted by Fizz at 4:13 PM on March 25, 2016 [1 favorite]

Yes, he's the third tag! I was really impressed by this article; I'm glad others enjoyed it as well.
posted by ChuraChura at 4:18 PM on March 25, 2016 [1 favorite]

Sad to see this didn't get more attention here. Incredible article. Thanks!
posted by Potomac Avenue at 10:15 AM on April 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

I don't think I framed it very well, Potomac Avenue. Glad you appreciated the article - I thought it was kind of incredible!
posted by ChuraChura at 10:21 AM on April 12, 2016