Shuffle Along previews — Page 14

Arguably, the book doesn't sufficiently nourish and support any of the show's character driven solos. But at least something intriguing is happening character-wise in "Low Down Blues." The book, the acting and the casting has more than suggested that Aubrey has very deep feelings, whether romantic or not, for F.E... So all of a sudden, after they have a squabble and Aubrey has a big emotional song, I felt that I was actually - at long last - truly curious about what was going on (is this a gay love song? does Aubrey know what he feels for F.E.? Will he admit it? Is it moving that he doesn't or is it merely quaint? Or is it only about friendship? What exactly is happening?). Later, we learn that Aubrey was married and that bit of exposition is handled with a comic wink (a loud wink). Anyway, with the song for the first time since the first flirty seen between Eubie and Lottie, which seemed as if it had happened about three hours earlier, because it did, I was actually interested in a development in one of the relationships between the leading characters.

Updated On: 3/20/16 at 10:06 AM

newintown said: ""...the history of Broadway still reflects a very marginalized, often invisible position of Black people."

No one in their right mind will deny that racism has been endemic in this country - but invisible on Broadway?...

... And that's just a partial list of Broadway only. So repressed, yes. Invisible, no. Hyperbole is rarely a helpful rhetorical tool, but clarity is always great."

I would say that the appearance of Black people on Broadway during this period of almost 100 years since the original production of SHUFFLE ALONG has been very marginal. The majority of stories told in the most seen plays and musicals on Broadway to this day have been the stories of white people, with occasional exceptions of "exotic" glimpses outside of white culture. In most of these productions, the lives of Black people have been invisible. Have the numbers of productions focused on the stories of Black characters approached being proportionate to the population?

Updated On: 3/20/16 at 11:37 AM

I really enjoyed it.



Is there too much exposition? Yes. Does it need trimming? Yes. Is the second act problematic? Yes.



But this is a wildly entertaining show with a cast that just does not quit. The performances are across the board first rate. The dancing is absolutely unbelievable. I don't think I've ever seen tap dancing at this level onstage in my life. It's wildly impressive.



The show has its sights and its target set high, and it may not hit the bullseye, but there are certainly moments where it comes very close. And those moments are stunning. Truly. I enjoyed the show quite a lot. Audra's act two moment eclipsed Billy's in my mind. Billy's is impressive, but it's a little undeserved and he sounded almost in pain towards the end. Audra's moment is stunning and very moving. She's unbelievable.



The comparisons to WOTV are wildly inappropriate in my opinion. It's not nearly at that level. With their week of rehearsals, I can't wait to see it closer to opening. There is something phenomenal there and I truly believe they could mine it out by then.



It ran 3 hours and 5 minutes.

For those who have seen it thus far, any thoughts about how the cast may possibly be designated for awards? Does anyone outright seem to be leading versus supporting?

Updated On: 3/20/16 at 05:40 PM

Hey Gang -- I had about 30 people PM me for an extra playbill, and unfortunately I only have 10 to give out. So sorry I can't accommodate all the requests. If anyone is seeing the show this week can report back if the playbill has indeed changed that would be helpful. Many of the requests were from people who are planning to see the show "soon," and if the Playbill hasn't changed, some of those requests may not be necessary.

Updated On: 3/21/16 at 10:59 AM

Was just told that the new ones arrived today. Someone here told me. Will let them tell what they know.

Hope she is back tomorrow. Hope she isn't too sick and is feeling better.

mattmarkowski99 said: "I literally just bought tickets for tomorrow night, and then I read your post. I pray that she'll be back tomorrow. Where did you hear that she was out?"



Seems this would have been announced here or on Playbill.com.

when did they announce this?? The show was up at TKTS up until 8pm.

If anyone has any extra copies to spare of the original playbill I would love a copy of one. Please PM if so. Thank you :)

Reportedly, the new playbill was scheduled to be distributed last night but of course the show was cancelled. I'm sure we will get a report tonight. I'm curious if they will keep the beautiful play-within-a play program insert. That's got to be expensive to maintain.

QueenAlice said: "Reportedly, the new playbill was scheduled to be distributed last night but of course the show was cancelled. I'm sure we will get a report tonight. I'm curious if they will keep the beautiful play-within-a play program insert. That's got to be expensive to maintain."



OHhhh ok. Well I'll be interested to hear if it switches out. If nobody reports back sooner, I can let people know on Saturday night when I go!