UPTOWNflavor

The historic Harlem landmark known as the world famous Apollo Theater has undergone phase one of its restoration and will relaunch with the legendary Amateur Night this coming Wednesday and the return of Dionne Warwick to the Apollo on September 21st.

Back in February the New York Times published an article about the interior renovation of the Apollo. The Times informed us that:

Those renovations, known as Phase 1, have consumed about half of the $65 million renovation budget, which was financed by private contributions as well as a $4.5 million grant from the federal Economic Development Administration and $20.4 million from the city’s Economic Development Corporation

The renovations include the following:

“We replaced all the seats, [but] they’re still a replica of the original ones,” says Procope. “We’ve completely redone the stage, as well as our greenroom, which will make it better for cocktail parties and other pre-concert events.”

“Inside, the audience will see plasma screens on the walls, a brand-new stage, new seating and new stairs. We’ve taken a beating from fans for the way the place looked in the past. Now, when one comes to the Apollo Theater, they say, ‘My God, look at this place.’”

As part of the renovation process, the original floor was torn up where Sandman Simms used to shuffle sub-par amateurs off the stage.

“I was crying when they tore up that floor – I know all the greats that have performed on that stage,” [Billy] Mitchell says. “I had the construction guys give me a piece of it. I’m going to have it framed.

“The rest of it was thrown away. People have come in and said, ‘You could have put that on eBay.’”

In 2008, the theater is expected to close down again for more renovations known as phase 2 in preparation for the 75th anniversary.

Source: New York Daily News