(Harlem, NY –September 2015)—On the heels of the recently announced expansion of its daytime programming with the Billie Holiday hologram show, the Apollo Theater today announced another exciting new addition to its 2015 Fall/Winter season with the launch of a new comedy initiative – Apollo Comedy Club. The new series will see the iconic Theater returning to its comedic roots as it further expands its late night offerings. Presented in partnership with the legendary Bob Sumner (producer of Def Comedy Jam, creator of LaffMobb on Aspire), the Apollo Comedy Club will take place on the Theater’s intimate Soundstage space and showcase some the best emerging talent in comedy today. Also to kick-off the series, the Theater will, for the first time, induct non-musical artists into its celebrated Apollo Walk of Fame. On October 1st, the Theater will hold a special ceremony to induct legendary comedians Redd Foxx, Jackie “Moms” Mabley and Richard Pryor into its Walk of Fame and, following the ceremony, Apollo Comedy Club will officially open its doors.
Additionally, the Apollo’s 2015 Season will include: Breakin’ Convention (October 13-18), a global celebration of hip-hop dance theater featuring celebrated French dance duo Les Twins and a new work by acclaimed choreographer Rennie Harris; The New Orleans Jazz Weekend and Masquerade Party (October 30&31), which marks the return of jazz musician Irvin Mayfield and his New Orleans Jazz Orchestra to Harlem for a celebration of the new collaboration album Dee Dee’s Feathers, with legendary jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater; a new ballet by renowned Brazilian choreographer Fernando Melo, co-commissioned with the Apollo and Ballet Hispanico (November 20&21); a celebration of the Jazz à Vienne Festival’s 35th anniversary with Je Suis Soul!: A Salute To French And African Jazz And Soul (December 4&5) featuring many of French soul’s leading artists Manu Dibango, Ben l’Oncle Soul with the Monophonics and Les Nubians; and The Classical Theatre of Harlem presents the world premiere of The First Noel (December 11-30) a new Harlem-based holiday musical, by Lelund Durond Thompson and Jason Michael Webb.
The Fall/Winter calendar will also feature the 2015 season finale of the Apollo’s signature series
Amateur Night: Super Top Dog on November 25th and the fifth season opener of Apollo Music Café, which showcases boundary-pushing, emerging and mid-career artists in an intimate club-like setting on the Theater’s Soundstage. As the cornerstone of the Harlem community, the Apollo will also present public conversations, education programs for students and families, and other community events to complement the season’s artistic offerings.
