CR176

1964 Apollo Theatre Emcee Notes “Slappy White and Moms Mabley”

Built in 1913, and originally named Hurtig and Seamon’s New Burlesque Theater, the Apollo Theatre has become the premiere location for African American entertainers. The theater is located in Harlem, New York and was built by Jules Hurtig and Harry Seamon. Hurtig and Seamon’s New Burlesque Theater was an all-white establishment and remained that way through its initial purchase and re-naming in 1928. The purchase was made by Bill Minsky and the theater was named the 125th Street Apollo Theatre. During this time, however,  Harlem was becoming a growing community of urban African Americans. In 1932 the theater was purchased by Sydney S.Cohen and Morris Sussman and in 1934 began performances with and for black people. The Apollo went on to incorporate an “amateur night” where new entertainers were able to perform. This became the basis of the nationally syndicated television program Showtime at the Apollo that ran from 1987 to 2008 and rebooted in 2018.
sources:https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/apollo-theatre-1913/ and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Theater
​