beyond, says president and CEO Jonelle Procope. Procope details the
packed, yearlong calendar that includes a myriad of Black History Month
programs; the theater remake of “Dreamgirls” in late fall; Apollo’s
fruitful partnerships with the Smithsonian Institute, Carnegie Hall,
Columbia University and Biography.com; and the Legends series that
features soul crooner John Legend.
“The Apollo
has been the epicenter of African American culture for 75 years. We
were the launching pad for numerous artists, many of whom went to
become legends,” says Procope, a lawyer and former Apollo board member.
“We continue to be home to many artists and this is about also what’s
next at the Apollo. So we are really beginning to introduce very robust
arts programming. It’s a very exciting time for the theater.”
Remarkable,
Procope says, that when it first opened in 1913, African Americans were
barred from entering the establishment. Today it is one of the world’s
most recognized African American cultural treasures that routinely sees
visitors from Europe, Africa and Asia. The Apollo slid into disrepair
in the 70s and 80s and became an Upper Manhattan eyesore before being
revitalized in the new Millennium. In celebration of its birthday –
which took place one week after the historic Barack Obama Inauguration
– Apollo officials have sculpted one of the most exciting years in its
history.
“This is the highlight of my career.
I consider myself very fortunate to be running a cultural icon like the
Apollo Theater,” Procope says. “It’s important for a theater like this
to be operating and vital. It’s an economic engine for the uptown
community. When the theater is thriving, people are coming into the
community, they are spending money, they are patronizing the
restaurants and stores. It’s intrical to a thriving community.” – terry shropshire.
Some highlights of upcoming performances:
1. The national tour launch of the Tony Award-winning play “Dreamgirls.” November 2009
2. A series of events in conjunction with Honor!,
a festival celebrating African American culture in partnership with
Carnegie Hall. It will be curated by soprano Jessye Norman. March 21
and 22, 2009
3. Heineken New Legends Series. Past notables of the
series have been Inda.Arie, Lyfe Jennings, The Roots and Keyshia Cole.
The highlight of the year will be an intimate evening with R&B star
John Legend on Feb. 9, 2009.
4. Salon Series. Will feature creator-composer Fred Ho, DJ Spooky, jazz
musician Russell Gunn and theater artist Dael Orlandersmith. April 2009
Some highlights of partnerships:
1. Jazz, Jump and Jive: The Apollo Theater and American Entertainment.
A national touring exhibition in collaboration with the Smithsonian
Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
This comprehensive educational exhibit will impart the history and
impact the Apollo had in shaping popular music and culture around the
world. April 2010 through 2011
2. Oral History Project. A
partnership with Columbia University Oral History Research Office to
create an oral documentary of the world-class theater.
3. Documentary Film: a PBS-style documentary will be produced in
celebration of Apollo’s 75th anniversary – the first ever done in the
U.S. about the Theater.
