In conversation with The Theater Lovers: Will Anderson and Rachael Joyce
2:30 – 3:20 at Morristown & Morris Township Library
About the author
Caseen Gaines is an author, educator, and popular culture historian. His latest book, When Broadway Was Black: The Triumphant Story of the All-Black Musical That Changed the World, was recently featured in the New York Times. He has appeared on Netflix’s The Movies That Made Us and has written books on Back to the Future, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, The Dark Crystal, A Christmas Story, and Pee-wee’s Playhouse.
MFOB featured book: When Broadway Was Black: The Triumphant Story of the All-Black Musical That Changed the World
When Broadway Was Black: The Triumphant Story of the All-Black Musical That Changed the World is the story of how Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake, along with comedians Flournoy Miller and Aubrey Lyles, overcame poverty, racism, and violence to harness the energy of the Harlem Renaissance and produce 1921’s Shuffle Along, 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.
