New York's Apollo Theatre to undergo complete renovation

Jet, July 22, 2002

Derek Johnson, president and CEO of the Apollo Theatre Foundation, stands on the world famous Apollo stage with the Tree of Hope, one of the Apollo Theatre's most famous fixtures, in New York. Johnson is leading the historic Harlem theater through a total renovation in an effort to transform the 90-year-old facility into a major cultural and performing arts center.

The first phase of the initial $50 million in renovations is under way, beginning with exterior repairs to the Apollo's famous marquee and restoration of the original marble and granite work on the building's facade. Beginning in January of 2003, the Apollo, which has hosted stars such as Sammy Davis Jr., Nat "King" Cole, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin and the Jackson Five, will be closed for eight months for internal renovation. During that phase of renovation, the trademark Amateur Nights will go on a 35-city tour, including stops in Tokyo and London.