The Apollo
253 West 125th Street
(212) 222-0992
Inside Tips
What's
New?
Harlem’s Apollo Theater, located at 253 West 125th
Street between 7th and 8th 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.
