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| Harlem's Apollo Theatre celebrates 75 years The Apollo Theatre, a gem of Harlem known for its amateur night, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year with a series of events, including a lecture series, panel discussions, concerts, a gala evening on June 8 and the opening of a new production of the musical Dreamgirls in November. Amateur night at the Apollo has launched the careers of countless musicians, including Smokie Robinson, James Brown, the Isley Brothers, Luther Vandross and Michael Jackson. They earned their spurs at the legendary talent contest, which to this day takes place every Wednesday and draws tourists from all over the world. Anyone can enter and the cheapest tickets cost just 7.50 dollars. In her autobiography, The Lady Sings the Blues, jazz singer Billie Holiday said the audience at the theatre was like no other in the world. It shows no mercy. Contestants who don't find favour are booed off the stage and other insults are hurled from the upper rows. However, those whose ability and charm are convincing on the stage are rewarded with warm enthusiasm. The Apollo Theatre on 125th Street, in the heart of Harlem, was considered a phenomenon from its opening in 1934. At a time when segregation was the norm in the United States, it was one of the first establishments where blacks were permitted to be both on stage and sit in the audience. Overnight it became an incubator of black talent, whether jazz, blues, comedy, dance and rhythm and blues. "The Apollo is shorthand for both American and African-American culture, " said John Breglio, producer of the new production of Dreamgirls in a recent article in the New York Times. "It's the birthplace for music in this country. It resonated with us because 'Dreamgirls' is a snapshot of the 1950s, '60s and '70s American music culture." The opening scene of Dreamgirls, a story about a girl singing group loosely based on the Supremes, takes place at the Apollo. The theatre's motto, Where Stars Are Born and Legends Are Made, still stands today. Jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald was the tender age of 17 when she tried out at there. According to legend, she wanted to perform a dance, but her knees shook so badly that she chose to sing. She won the talent competition, collected 25 dollars and performed at the theatre the rest of the week. Band leader Chick Webb saw her and hired her on the spot. Occasionally, Apollo audiences err in their judgement. Brown, who later became known as the Godfather of Soul, was mercilessly booed off the stage in his first appearance at the Apollo in 1952. Billy Mitchell, resident historian and tour guide at the theatre, said the audience didn't like him. "This crowd is brutal, " Mitchell told the New York Times. "You have to have the full package for this crowd." Perhaps he failed to rub the Tree of Hope for good luck that night. The stump what's left of an elm tree that once stood on Seventh Avenue and was considered lucky by the entertainers. Brown found his way despite his failure at the Apollo. He ultimately returned to enjoy ovations from the audience, and 10 years later his album Live at the Apollo is the proof. In 1983, the Apollo received landmark status from the city of New York. Under a renovation project begun in 2001 the theatre's 1, 500 seats have been reupholstered, the terracotta facade and distinctive sign have been restored and the stage has been rebuilt. The final lobby restoration has been postponed because only about half the 96 million dollars needed for the project has been raised. Nevertheless, the annual number of visitors has grown to 400, 000. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Jazz News :: home page |