This toe-tapping revue of Eubie Blake songs stormed Broadway during the 1978-79 season to become the most recent success of a 75-year professional career. Particularly active in the teens, '20s, and '30s, Blake helped break down racial barriers in the landmark 1921 musical “Shuffle Along,” the first Broadway musical written, directed by and starring African-Americans. The show was a smash hit, opening Broadway to a whole range of black artists and bringing a vital musical influence to the American theatre which continues to this day.
The indomitable spirit of the celebrated composer, pianist and raconteur is evoked in over twenty wonderful songs spanning the century, including the classic “I’m Just Wild About Harry.” With its sizzling score, flexible cast requirements and energetic dance numbers, “Eubie!” is a perfect showcase for dynamic performers (the original Broadway production featured the incomparable Gregory and Maurice Hines), as well as a crowd-pleasing salute to a true American pioneer.
