SHUFFLE ALONG Sets Sudden Broadway Closing After Audra McDonald Departs — Page 6

Those of you who don't know who Rhiannon Giddens is, you owe it to yourself to do a YouTube or Spotify search. She's one of the most exciting and talented singers to appear on the scene in the last 10 years. It's sad we won't get to hear her take on the Shuffle score, as I'm sure it would have been exciting to hear. She truly can (and does) sing anything.

I can understand it being the right business move as well. I guess I'm just thrown by the fact that they weren't better prepared to take a financial hit during Audra's absence. The way they're describing the decline in sales makes it sound like they would've barely made it through the summer even with her scheduled September return. And though it might not have been intended, the press release seems to put it on one person's shoulders when there were miscalculations across the board.

Updated On: 6/24/16 at 09:16 AM

It would have been better if they had an out of town tryout this spring, then let Audra do whatever she wanted to do in the summer (whether it would be having a child or going over to lomdon) and then open next spring.

I think this was ultimately a prudent decision to avoid a potentially costly decline in numbers following McDonald's departure.

I'm sad to see the show go so quickly. I thought it was a thrilling, magnificent piece of musical theatre, the scope of which we rarely see nowadays- flaws and all. It was far more daring, intelligent, and imagined than most new shows. I suspect its reputation will grow in time and I feel lucky for having seen it when I did.

Smaxie, thank you for posting that. Rhiannon Giddens is incredible, judging from that clip. When she switched to opera after the first few songs, I was blown away. Now that's versatility and range. Wow. So sad she won't get a chance in this show.

I'll admit I am not at all familiar with Rhiannon Giddens, but I was certainly going to buy a ticket for an August performance during her stint. After watching that clip of her, I'm sorry we won't get an opportunity to see her in Shuffle Along.

BroadwayConcierge said: "I hope Adrienne Warren lands something next season. I admit I wasn't a fan of the show, but I thought she was a tremendous talent and delight.



Agreed, she was one of my favorite parts of the show!

I think Glover could have been a draw IF they told us what he was doing. Some people here would have gone back no matter what but I and possibly many others would have if I knew that he had a decent sized part. It may not have been enough to keep open but how can they expect Glover to sell tickets without knowing what he's doing?

BroadwayConcierge said: "I hope Adrienne Warren lands something next season. I admit I wasn't a fan of the show, but I thought she was a tremendous talent and delight.



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What do you think of her as a potential replacement Peggy/Maria?

Robert16 said: "Honestly, is it so shocking and tragic? Besides the dance numbers the show was a bore. Audra sang the only two songs anyone was familiar with and Act 2 was a snooze. Too many talented people involved for the end product delivered - and that title - come on already!

Couldn't disagree more. I thought Billy Porter had a great show-stopping song and for me - seeing what happened after the show closed to the characters involved was enlightening. Its a history we know little about.

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This is also about the new reality of Broadway. Broadway is now Las Vegas -- a destination to go for certain things, and certain shows. And those shows are: Hamilton, LK, Wicked, Aladdin, Phantom, and Morman. Once Frozen and Harry Potter enter into it, the majority of tourists will buy those shows because tickets are readily available, and that's what they know. It's a very different Broadway than it was even a decade ago.

BroadwayBen said: "This is also about the new reality of Broadway. Broadway is now Las Vegas -- a destination to go for certain things, and certain shows. And those shows are: Hamilton, LK, Wicked, Aladdin, Phantom, and Morman. Once Frozen and Harry Potter enter into it, the majority of tourists will buy those shows because tickets are readily available, and that's what they know. It's a very different Broadway than it was even a decade ago.



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Yes and no... Hamilton only just joined this juggernaut list and it wasn't a pre-packaged known quantity beforehand. It is something completely different that has become one of the mainstays quickly. Same with Book of Mormon in 2011 and, to an extent, Wicked (though it had the Wizard of Oz connection). Those weren't shows that people were initially buying because it's "what they know"

ChiTheaterFan said: What do you think of her as a potential replacement Peggy/Maria?

She was up and singing The Schyler Sisters at the end of the Tony's, she'd be great!. Someone asked on YouTube who is the lady standing and singing, unfamiliar with her.

I hope my friends make it to th show before closing.

Updated On: 6/24/16 at 03:21 PM