Arts·Commotion

When Broadway was Black: an oral history of Shuffle Along

Caseen Gaines, author of When Broadway Was Black: The Triumphant Story of the All-Black Musical That Changed the World, documents the history of the musical Shuffle Along — the first production by an all-Black creative team to break the glass ceiling on Broadway.

Author Caseen Gaines tells the story of the groundbreaking show's rise to fame on Broadway

Lyricist Noble Sissle and cast members from the musical Shuffle Along, circa 1921.
Lyricist Noble Sissle and cast members from the musical Shuffle Along, circa 1921. (White Studio/NYPL)

Caseen Gaines, author of When Broadway Was Black: The Triumphant Story of the All-Black Musical That Changed the World, documents the history of the musical Shuffle Along — the first production by an all-Black creative team to break the glass ceiling on Broadway.

You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.


Interview with Caseen Gaines produced by Jane van Koeverden.