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Apollo Theater gets a facelift

BY VERA HALLER | STAFF WRITER

6:02 PM EST, February 13, 2006

The lights on the marquee of The Apollo flashed and the façade glimmered in the winter sunlight yesterday as officials unveiled new improvements to the historic Harlem theater.

The Apollo Theater Foundation, which manages the landmark theater, presented the latest round of work that has been completed as part of an ongoing renovation.

The marquee while retaining an old-fashioned style has been updated with new technology. The announcements now are posted digitally on LED screens that change every few minutes.

Near the new box office, electronic posters advertise upcoming events at the theater where greats such as Ella Fitzgerald and Stevie Wonder got their starts.

The terracotta façade also has been restored. Inside, new bright red seats have replaced the old ones.

More work is planned for later this year, including replacing the stage and renovating the dressing rooms, officials said.

The foundation also announced upcoming events. The O'Jays play a concert tonight and Roberta Flack is scheduled to play March 25.

The Apollo Amateur Night opens its 2006 season tomorrow.