Showtime at the Apollo: The Epic Tale of Harlem’s Legendary Theater - Hardcover

Fox, Ted

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1419731386 ISBN 13: 9781419731389

Publisher: Abrams ComicArts, 2019

Synopsis

Ted Fox's graphic novel adaptation of the definitive history of the Apollo brings the legendary Harlem theater to life.

Since its inception as an African-American theater in 1934, the Apollo, and the thousands of entertainers who performed there, have led the way in the presentation of swing, bebop, rhythm and blues, jazz, gospel, soul, funk and hip-hop―along with the latest in dance and comedy. The Apollo has nurtured and featured thousands of artists, many of whom have become legends. The beauty they have given the world―their art―transcends the hatred, ignorance, and intolerance that often made their lives difficult.

Today, the Apollo enjoys an almost mythical status. With its breathtaking art by illustrator James Otis Smith, this graphic novel adaptation of Showtime at the Apollo brings to life the theater’s legendary significance in music history, African-American history, and the culture of New York City.

About this title

About the Author

Ted Fox is the author of Showtime at the Apollo: The Story of Harlem’s World Famous Theater—the definitive and only full-scale history of Harlem’s legendary showplace and the source material for this graphic novel adaptation—and In the Groove, a collection of interviews with those who have shaped the music industry. He is also a producer and manager, most notably for four-time Grammy nominee Buckwheat Zydeco. He lives in Manhattan and upstate New York.

James Otis Smith is a multitalented artist whose work spans illustration, comics, motion graphics, and video. Formerly a member of the Act-i-vate Comics collective, he designed and illustrated the children’s book Madunia: Stories of the Ancient Lands with writer James McCammon, among other titles. Smith lives in Brooklyn, New York.Showtime at the Apollo is his debut graphic novel.

Reviews

If you love the Apollo, this book is for you! If you've never heard of it, this book is for you! Have you listened to any American music from the 20th century? This book is for you! In seriousness, this title looks at one of the great, lasting centers of entertainment for African American performers and audiences. Located on 125th Street in Harlem, the Apollo began as a showcase for musicians, dancers, and comedians in the fading days of vaudeville but evolved and adapted its format to thrill packed houses for decades to come, featuring artists from Cab Calloway to Ella Fitzgerald to James Brown to Michael Jackson. The energy of the place is palpable, even frenetic, in Smith's illustrations of shows, backstage drama, and complex business dealings. Fox's text, adapted from his dense cultural history, draws readers in as he describes individuals, musical eras, and even the cultural heritage of the building itself. Though not the last word on the history of African American musical entertainment, this is an exciting starting point. VERDICT A dynamic, fact-filled offering for teens curious about musical history.—Emilia Packard, Austin, TX

Edition details

• Publisher: Abrams ComicArts
• Publication date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1419731386
• ISBN 13: 9781419731389
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Smith James Otis
• Number of pages: 240