The Apollo Theater Experience Via NYC 2 WAY Transportation

Apollo Theater New York History

There may not be another theater in America that has more history than the Apollo Theater in New York City, especially to the African American community.  This theater can be found in Harlem, a location which contains historically rich African American communities.  Tell your NYC 2 Way Transportation driver to take you to 253 W. 125th Street to see this important historical part of the big apple.  The theater has seating for just over fifteen hundred individuals.  

The history of the Apollo Theater is a slice of American History.   The Apollo Hall was originally founded by Edward Ferrero, a Civil War general, as a ballroom and dance hall.  His lease expired in 1872 and the building was turned into a theater but closed in the late 1800s.  In 1914 George Keister designed a new building for the location and it opened as Hurtig and Seamon’s New Burlesque theater.  The leaseholders, Jules Hurtig and Harry Seamon, had a strict whites only policy. The theater eventually folded and closed again.  

With the Harlem Renaissance is full bloom, times were changing in the area.  The Harlem Renaissance highlighted the artistic talents and cultural presence of African Americans in an America that still had strong racial divides.  But the music, art, and culture of African Americans were a force to be reckoned with.  

In this spirit, Frank Schulman bought the run down theater.  He already owned Harlem’s Lafayette and Lincoln theaters. After completely renovating the interior, he opened Apollo in 1934 with the intention to feature only black entertainment.  Audition Night, or Amateur Night, was held each Monday evening.  Ella Fitzgerald, a singing legend, got her start on the Apollo’s Amateur Night stage.  She actually intended to go on stage and dance, but at the last minute decided to sing instead.  The rest is history! The theater adopted the slogan, “Where stars are born and legends are made.”  And it delivered.  The theater was responsible for launching and supporting the careers of Billie Holiday, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, and The Jackson 5 among others.  Jimi Hendrix won first place in a 1964 Amateur contest. The Executioner was a staple of the Apollo Amateur Night  too.  If the crowd voiced their disgust for an act, the executioner would come out with a broom and sweep performers off stage.

Although the theater has hit some rough patches, it was bought by the state of New York in 1991.  In 2005 the 65 million dollar refurbishment of the theater began.  Renovations included revamping the facade and marquee.   The theater is now maintained and run by the Apollo Theater Foundation Inc., a non profit organization.  Over a million visitors come to the Apollo each year to view a variety of performances.  The Jazz Foundation of America holds their benefit concert “A Great Night in Harlem” in the theater each year.  President Obama has even performed at the Apollo Theater, singing the first line of “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green.  Whether you want to catch a comedy show or a famous musical act, there is something for everyone at the Apollo.  You may also want to take a peek at Nyc 2way guide to top restaurants for romance in New York City in this awesome slide presentation.