Historic Theater With Black History Roots Reopens in Washington

April 17, 2012

Since 1910, African American entertainers - including Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington - have performed at the Howard Theater, even launching their careers there. But since 1980, The Howard, in a traditionally African American neighborhood, has sat in disrepair and was set to be destroyed. But the arts community joined forces to save the building and fully restore its grandeur. Our reporter has more on what the historic theater meant to black entertainers and, in its comeback, what it might mean in the future.

The Howard Theater, a Washington DC landmark, is reborn.

The sound of music once again fills the historic venue that was built in 1910 as the largest theater in the world for African American entertainers and audiences.

The theater occupied a big part of black history.

In the 1930s, Washington born composer and big-band leader Duke Ellington made his mark at the Howard.

Black artists like Diane Ross and the Supremes also graced its stage.

Grammy award winning singer Marvin Gaye was discovered here.

Smokey Robinson was a teenager when he first performed at the Howard.

He and other black musicians came back to celebrate the theater’s revival.

"I grew up in this theater and it was a mainstay," said Smokey Robinson. "We use to bring the Motown reviews here. So we had a great deal of fun in this theater, and I am very happy that they opened it again."