Although the official opening was May 23, the previews for Shuffle Along—the groundbreaking all-Black Broadway musical—began on May 3, 1921. Written by Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake, it broke racial barriers, proving that Black performers could command Broadway audiences. Its success helped usher in the Harlem Renaissance by launching careers of major stars like Josephine Baker and Paul Robeson. Shuffle Along challenged stereotypes and expanded opportunities for African American artists in mainstream theater, influencing American culture for decades.
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