Read on Twitter
My forthcoming book, FOOTNOTES, tells the story of the men behind the 1921 Broadway sensation SHUFFLE ALONG. The musical centered on an election, where the choices are two comically crooked businessmen, and an upstanding, and seemingly outmatched, gentleman named Harry Walton. /1
The show opens with the optimistically reflective song "Election Day": "You're thinking of the politicians whom last year you trusted / When they got into positions, promises they busted / You'll try not to make the same mistake / this Election Day!" /2
The crooked businessmen, played by blackface comedians and co-writers Flournoy Miller and Aubrey Lyles, traffic in insults, double-crossing, voter intimidation, and manipulation of the ballot box. The political elite provide them cover, and in the end, Harry Walton loses. /3
Of course, one of the ne'er-do-wells wins. The corruption starts immediately, while his incompetency remains on full display. However, in the end, a private detective the newly-elected public official hired to spy on his political opponent ironically uncovers the truth... /4
The newly-elected official cheated his way into office, and Harry Walton is soon installed Mayor of Jimtown, the fictional municipality where SHUFFLE ALONG is set. The now-classic showtune "I'm Just Wild About Harry" is one of the show's standout celebratory numbers. /5
Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake, the show's composers, were shocked when "I'm Just Wild About Harry" was co-opted by President Harry Truman's longshot reelection campaign in 1948. Despite what the early returns suggested, once all the votes were counted, Truman was victorious. /6
Believe that honesty will triumph over corruption. Have patience. Count all the votes. Most importantly, make sure you and everyone you know do what needs doing today. No election is over until it's over.
Oh, and preorder FOOTNOTES, out May 2021: https://amzn.to/32bwJcu /end
Oh, and preorder FOOTNOTES, out May 2021: https://amzn.to/32bwJcu /end
