When Broadway Was Black cover art

When Broadway Was Black

The Triumphant Story of the All-Black Musical That Changed the World

Preview

Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

When Broadway Was Black

By: Caseen Gaines
Narrated by: Caseen Gaines
Try Premium Plus free

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $36.99

Buy Now for $36.99

Confirm Purchase
Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.
Cancel

About this listen

If Hamilton, Rent, or West Side Story captured your heart, you’ll love this in-depth look into the rise of the 1921 Broadway hit Shuffle Along, the first all-Black musical to succeed on Broadway.

No one was sure if America was ready for a show featuring nuanced, thoughtful portrayals of Black characters―and the potential fallout was terrifying. But from the first jazzy, syncopated beats of composers Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake, New York audiences fell head over heels.

When Broadway Was Black is the story of how Sissle and Blake, along with comedians Flournoy Miller and Aubrey Lyles, overcame poverty, racism, and violence to harness the energy of the Harlem Renaissance and produce a runaway Broadway hit that launched the careers of many of the twentieth century’s most beloved Black performers. Born in the shadow of slavery and establishing their careers at a time of increasing demands for racial justice and representation for people of color, they broke down innumerable barriers between Black and white communities at a crucial point in our history.

Author and pop culture expert Caseen Gaines leads listeners through the glitz and glamour of New York City during the roaring twenties to reveal the revolutionary impact one show had on generations of Americans and how its legacy continues to resonate today.

©2021, 2023 Caseen Gaines (P)2023 Blackstone Publishing
Entertainment & Performing Arts United States New York Heartfelt Celebrity

What listeners say about When Broadway Was Black

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.