Legendary Apollo Theater Opens the 2010 Season
of its Signature Show on Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Featuring a Special Performance by Hip-Hop Legend
Doug E. Fresh
New Season Will Feature a Revamped Show With a New Apollo Amateur Night Theme Song, Themed Competition Nights, and Significant Cash Prizes to Winning Contestants
(New York NY, January 21, 2010) The legendary Apollo Theater today announced details of the 2010 season of its signature program, Amateur Night, the worlds most famous and enduring amateur talent competition. After going on hiatus through the run of the production of Dreamgirls at the Theater last fall, Amateur Night will return bigger and better than ever for the 2010 season with a special Opening Night Show featuring new enhancements and hosted by the comedian Capone on Wednesday, January 27th at 7:30pm. Opening Night will also feature a performance by the ultimate party starter hip-hop legend Doug E. Fresh. The Apollo Theaters Amateur Night has long been revered by artists as a transformative experience where up and coming talent feels the power of the legendary performers who have come before them, and where audience response can help make or break a career.
For the past 75 years, the Apollos Amateur Night has reigned as one of New York Citys ultimate live entertainment experiences, attracting performers and audiences from all over the world and establishing the Apollo as a cultural anchor. While fans of the show can still expect the return of show staples like C.P. Lacey in the role of the Executioner (the character who sweeps unworthy contestants off the stage) and celebrated Music Director Ray Chew and his band The Crew, the opening night of Amateur Night will introduce several exciting new features designed by producer Marion J. Caffey to give the ever popular show a fresh look and feel. Highlights of the enhancements include: a pre-show jam fest led by one of New Yorks hottest DJs DJ Jess; a new Amateur Night theme song; and, a brand new segment that allows audience members to prove on the spot if they have what it takes to make it on the Apollo stage. The new season of Amateur Night will start Wednesday, January 27th at 7:30pm and will occur every Wednesday through October, 2010. Amateur Night is sponsored by Coca-Cola.
Amateur Night has always been about the connection between the audience and the artist, and about whats next, said Amateur Night producer Marion Caffey. We decided to take a look at the show to find new ways to keep it fresh and exciting for performers and audiences alike. We think the enhancements were implementing will complement Apollo traditions like the executioner and the house band, and will only add to the freshness of the event.
Enhancements include:
A new pre-show element, Amateur Night Pre-Show Jam Fest featuring DJ Jess, one of NYs hottest DJs, who will be accompanied by a multimedia presentation incorporating footage of past Apollo performances and other historic Apollo moments;
A new segment entitled Now You Know about Apollo trivia;
A new segment called Step Up to the Mic, which will allow audience members to prove on the spot if they have what it takes to make it on the Apollo stage
A brand new Amateur Night Theme song entitled Beautiful Music written by NY native Dunn;
Special guest artist appearances throughout the season;
Theme Nights, including a Broadway, New York City Teachers, Latin, and Gospel;
Cash prizes totaling more than $40,000 for the ultimate season winners;
Fans will be able to follow their favorite Amateurs and keep track of their progress on the Apollos web site by viewing YouTube videos and other related content.
Additionally, along with its annual New York auditions and to open the competition to a wider pool of candidates, the Apollo held national auditions in Atlanta this past fall and plans to hold future auditions in Washington, DC. Dates to be announced.
Tickets and Information
Tickets for Amateur Night begin at $17 and are available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street. Ticketmaster at (212) 307-7171 or www.ticketmaster.com/venue/6
Amateur night 2010 Season runs from January 27, 2010 through October 2010 on Wednesday nights at 7:30pm.
About the Contest
Show-Off competitions happen every four weeks, bringing back the winners from the previous four Amateur Nights as they vie for a coveted spot in the final rounds of competition;
Quarterly Top Dog presents the top three performers from each of three Show-Off contests;
Annual Super Top Dog pits the Top Dog winners in a contest for the Annual Title.
About Amateur Night
Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater has played a major role in the emergence of innovative musical genres including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul and hip-hop. From its notoriously tough audience to the magic of the Tree of Hope, the Apollo Amateur Night story is the stuff that legends are made of – literally. Amateur Night has been the foundation for some of the worlds greatest artists including Stevie Wonder, The Jackson Five and Lauryn Hill. Long before Ted Mack and the Amateur Hour and American Idol, Apollo Amateur Night was, and continues to be, a primary source for discovering new talent and spotlighting up-and-coming artists, all hoping that the hallowed stage and the approval of the notoriously discerning Apollo audience will launch their careers in the entertainment world.
About the Apollo Theater
Currently celebrating its 75th anniversary, the Apollo Theater is one of Harlems, New York Citys, and Americas most iconic and enduring cultural institutions. The Apollo was one of the first theaters in New York, and the country, to fully integrate, welcoming traditionally African-American, Hispanic, and local immigrant populations in the audience, as well as headlining uniquely talented entertainers who found it difficult to gain entrance to other venues of similar size and resources. Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater has played a major role in cultivating artists and in the emergence of innovative musical genres including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis, Jr., James Brown, Michael Jackson, Bill Cosby, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, DAngelo, Lauryn Hill, and countless others began their road to stardom on the Apollos stage. Based on its cultural significance and architecture, the Apollo Theater received state and city landmark designation in 1983 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more information, visit www.apollotheater.org
