ABSTRACT
Shuffle Along was a once in a generation cultural phenomenon which enriched its producers, made its creators cultural icons, spawned several successful permutations, changed the physical landscape of New York City, provided a successful way into the entertainment industry for some of the most significant performers/activists of the twentieth century, and gave birth to two revivals and one musical adaptation over the course of ninety-some years. Actress Florence Mills joined Shuffle Along as a replacement performer and left a mega-star. In an astonishingly short amount of time, often working with famed producer Lew Leslie, Mills would become a genuine international sensation. Paul Robeson after a brief walk-on role as a member of the ensemble, would go on to become a large presence in terms of both artistic and political achievements on a global level. Shuffle Along also scrambled the racial dynamics of how audiences were seated.
