Those of us who remember staying up until midnight to watch the weekly variety show know that theme song well. But many of us only know one small part of The Apollo Theater great legacy. Now, director Lee Daniels is bringing the historic venue’s history to life.

Daniels announced that he will be directing a documentary about the theater. The acclaimed director is known for putting his raw and gritty style on “Empire”, “Precious”, and “The Butler”. Nigel Sinclair and Jeanne Elfant Festa of White Horse Pictures are producing the project.

And what’s even greater is the project needs your help. Daniels and The Apollo have already set up a website and are seeking submissions. According to the site:

“We are asking members of the community who have been to the Apollo, who may have parents or grandparents or other family members or friends who have done so, to help us find any material – audience footage, photographs, or other memories that we can use in our documentary film.  We have established a website for anyone who wants to submit. We will, of course, respect everybody’s ownership of their property.” 

So if you have any memories of being in the theater, getting a cane around your waist after you murder a rendition of Vision of Love, or whatever, check out the site, and share your past. Can’t wait for the doc and a chance to put some shine on a legendary theater.

The post Lee Daniels and Apollo Seek Submissions for Documentary appeared first on Broadway Black.

An awesome achievement for a film whose cast boasts some of the best in professional Black theatre.  We could not be any happier or prouder.

Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland) and Academy Award nominated-Broadway producer Oprah Winfrey (The Color Purple) lead this cast of brilliant artists as Cecil and Gloria Gaines.

David Oyelowo is Louis Gaines the eldest, headstrong, son of Cecil and Gloria.  Oyelowo is a British actor who began his career with the Royal Shakespeare Company.  He was the first Black actor to play an English king in a major Shakespearean production.

Tony Award nominee Colman Domingo (The Scottsboro Boys, Passing Strange) is the reluctant maître d’ Freddie Fallows.  He brings a smile to our faces each time he appears onscreen.  We adore him.

Tony Award winner Adriane Lenox (Doubt, Kiss Me Kate) is Gina, the wife of Terrence Howard‘s adulterous character Howard.  We absolutely loved the pairing of these two actors.  Terrence Howard made his Broadway debut in the all Black cast of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 2008.

Tony Award nominee Clarence Williams III (Slow Dance on the Killing Ground, The Long Dream) makes an appearance as Maynard, the man responsible for Cecil’s White House appointment.

Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding, Jr. (Jerry McGuire) is comic relief as head butler Carter Wilson.  Cuba is currently making his Broadway debut with Tony Award winner Cicely Tyson in The Trip to Bountiful.

We hope the success of The Butler creates even more opportunities for Black theatre artists to thrive on the silver screen just as they have on The Great White Way.

The post BroadwayBlack Stars Conquer the Box Office In Lee Daniels’ The Butler appeared first on Broadway Black.