APOLLO THEATER

253 West 125^th Street
(212) 222-0992

Harlem’s Apollo Theater, located at 253 West 125^th Street between 7^th and 8^th Avenues, has achieved legendary status as a showcase for both African American singers and comedians, and a great starting point for amateur talent. From the Wall of Fame in the lobby, which displays a collage of past performers, to the Tree of Hope, there is plenty of history ingrained in the walls of the Apollo. In the late 1980s, the theater was declared a national landmark.

The theater opened in 1913 as a burlesque hall featuring striptease acts and chorus lines for white audiences only, but as times changed, the Apollo adapted. Around and after 1934, when Sid Cohen purchased it, performers like Billie Holliday and Aretha Franklin performed, lending enormous credibility to the talent roster. As a result, larger crowds began to form. The Apollo enjoyed great success for a couple of years, but fell on hard times in the sixties and was forced to close its doors in the early seventies, after ownership changed hands numerous times and venture after venture fell through.

Things have turned around for the theatre since that time. It was renovated and reopened in 1983, and although the current list of performers isn’t as solid as it once was, it’s still a reliable source of entertainment. One thing that hasn’t changed over the years is the Wednesday night amateur performances, which remain as wild and raucous now as they have always been.

A tour of the Apollo is a unique experience. Guides recount an oral history of the theater, and audience participation is strongly encouraged. Lots of behind-the-scenes stories about past performances and performers are told, and the visitor is even offered the opportunity to perform in a special "No Boos Allowed" Amateur Night Show. The Tree of Hope, which is basically a piece of wood at this point, is touched by all performers before they step onstage. During the tour, you will also be able to participate in this custom. A gift shop is also on site, selling Apollo-oriented clothing, gift items, jewelry, and recordings of past performances.

For more information on arranging a tour of the Apollo Theater, call (212) 222-0992. The price is $8 per person. For schedules featuring upcoming performers, call (212) 749-5838.