Broadway actress and singer Leslie Uggams also came to celebrate.
"In these kinds of theaters you really had to make your mark because the audiences took no prisoners [were very critical] so you better know your stuff," said Leslie Uggams. "Plus, for me what was great about it is that everything I do on Broadway right now - and I do eight shows a week - I learned from playing in theaters like this."
For decades the Howard Theater hosted vaudeville acts, plays, musicals and local talent shows. It was called "Black Broadway.” In a time of racial segregation, African Americans could only perform in certain venues.
Leatha Blount lived two blocks away from The Howard. It was also a social destination for her.
"It was a ball," said Leatha Blount. "This was the black Harlem [like in New York]. We use to dance in the streets, dance in the show in the theater and have fun."
But during the 1968 race riots, the theater was looted. It reopened in1975 as a national historic landmark but only for a short time. For the last 30 years, it has sat empty and in total disrepair.
Two years ago, a massive renovation was launched aimed at restoring the theater’s glory. Now, the interior is state of the art with contemporary lighting, video screens and a cabaret feel.
At the ribbon cutting, the consensus was that the project was a huge success.
April and Edward Ellington came to see the theater where their father, Duke, thrilled audiences.
最新
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25