Tony Award winners Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Billy Porter headline this musical about the making of the 1921 Broadway hit 'Shuffle Along.' More…
In May 1921, the new musical 'Shuffle Along' became the unlikeliest of hits. It stumbled into town after a back-breaking pre-Broadway tour, deeply in debt, and set to open at a remote theater house on West 63rd. Its failure was almost a foregone conclusion. But with an infectious jazz score and exuberant dancing, 'Shuffle Along' ignited not just Broadway but all of New York City. Uptown and Downtown met and became one. This star-studded production combines the 1921 musical 'Shuffle Along' with the backstory of the people who brought it to life. 'Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk' collaborators George C. Wolfe and Savion Glover reunite to direct and choreograph.
See it if you love tap. Lots of great dance numbers. Strong singing, too. The book is uneven with the story told haltingly. Modest sets. Bad sound.
Don't see it if you require strong plot.Concept's intriguing, but execution's weak and it's too long. Too often frenetic and loud. Still, I'm glad I saw it.
See it if You like great singing, dancing, acting, costumes...it's got it all! In a season dominated by Hamilton this show gives it some competition!
Don't see it if You don't like amazing tap dancing.
See it if You love dancing and talent. Tons of both.
Don't see it if You need a rich story and a fast pace.
See it if the lure of the talented, accomplished cast & energetic tap dancing are enough for you. You're not likely to get much more out of the 3 hrs.
Don't see it if you're expecting an insightful or taut behind-the-scenes tale of how a controversial black revue from the 1920s became a Broadway sensation.
See it if you enjoy super-talented group of singers and tap dancers acting up a jazzy storm; shows how brilliant 1921 "negro" musical made vs all odds
Don't see it if /since show had nowhere to go after first act/1921 show proven success; even w/o Audra, there's top talent/choreography to burn
See it if You want to see original & AMAZING tap-dancing. You want to hear great voices. You want history mixed in with your musicals.
Don't see it if You dislike tap dancing. You prefer musicals about more contemporary events. You don't like jazz & blues.
See it if you like shows about shows, or if you love choreography, acting, singing, costumes, lighting and set design. All are the best you'll see.
Don't see it if you aren't into meta art.
See it if You love historical musicals and/or Savion Glover choreography.
Don't see it if You're not a fan of jazz, tap, or are looking for a musical comedy.
See it if you enjoy a superb cast, great choreography and dancing, lots of talent and a wonderful first act.
Don't see it if you have trouble sitting through a slow second act, don't like tap or will only sit close to the stage - you won't see the dancers' feet.
See it if you like shows with an overabundance of tap dancing. Brandon Victor Dixon's performance is the only fully developed among the talented cast.
Don't see it if you don't like tap dancing. Also, if you do not like musicals with a poor book. This show still needs a great deal of work. It is very long.
See it if you want to see a profusion of talent on one stage and enjoy tap dance.
Don't see it if your tolerance for tap dance is limited and you like fully developed characters.
See it if you love great singing, dancing and choreography
Don't see it if you want a book that tells a coherent story. Act2 does get into plot and character more.Show should be cut by 1/2 hour--delete/shorten songs
See it if you can't miss Audra or the other fantastic leads or you're interested in the history of race & show biz. Talented and gorgeous ensemble.
Don't see it if you don't like history with your musicals. The context added by Wolfe was fascinting but didn't pack punch should have. Well worth seeing!
See it if Love seeing 5 major performers in a showcase of their talents. Audra Rules! Savion Scores! Musical numbers all excell.
Don't see it if The book is REALLY important to you, it is weak by comparison.
See it if you're curious to know more about theatre history or want to see legendary performers live on stage.
Don't see it if you're not looking for a history lesson.
See it if You don't need a strong story line but love excellent tapping. You really enjoy exposition; a lot of exposition.
Don't see it if You want a coherent story or an actual musical. The plot does not progress with the songs.
See it if You want to see some of the great African-American actors in the business.
Don't see it if the story was a bit under-developed.
See it if You want to have a wonderful experience and appreciate the amazing talents of this extraordinary cast. The singing and dancing is superb!
Don't see it if You have an aversion to great musicals.
See it if You want more of a history lesson than a piece of musical theater.
Don't see it if You want to see an actual musical.
See it if this show had some of the most amazing tap choreography I have ever seen. High energy and spirited and fun to watch.
Don't see it if you don't like shows about shows, even if it does provide an interesting way of telling the story.
Also Breakout performances by Joshua Henry and Brandon Victor Dixon. I was ... Read more Read less
See it if You are a fan of Audra McDonald.
Don't see it if You avoid productions that aren't fully baked.
See it if you want to see some great performers at the top of their game/you are interested in theatre history/you appreciate diversity
Don't see it if you are looking for a wholly cohesive book/you don't like musicals that acknowledge race/you don't like shows that fuse modern and historic
See it if you love great dancing and a easy story line
Don't see it if the acting wasn't all there. Dancing dominates the show.
See it if Weak story, but OH the dancing and singing!
Don't see it if You don't appreciate a good shuffle ball change.
See it if Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Billy Porter are worth the price of admission. Throwback to another era in musical theater.
Don't see it if If you're not color blind.