The Apollo Theater in Partnership with
Bob Sumner Presents
The Apollo Comedy Club Series
New Comedy Series Marks the Extension of the Theater’s
Late Night Offerings
Apollo Comedy Club to Kick-Off With The
APOLLO WALK OF FAME INDUCTION of
JACKIE “MOMS” MABLEY, REDD FOXX and RICHARD PRYOR
Thursday, October 1st, 2015
(Harlem, NY October 1, 2015) - The Apollo Theater will launch a new comedy initiative – Apollo
Comedy Club – in partnership with the Bob Sumner (producer of Def Comedy Jam, creator of
LAFFMOBB on Aspire). The new series will see the iconic Theater returning to its comedic roots as it
further expands its robust programming offerings. Apollo Comedy Club will feature an evening of
comedy on the Apollo’s intimate Soundstage starring the best up-and-coming talent in comedy today
including Davian Velez, Omar Thompson and Dino Vigo. Hosted by Harlem native Smokey Suarez
and with music by the renowned DJ Qool Marv, the comedy shows will precede the Theater’s weekend
music series, Apollo Music Café, extending the Theater’s late night offerings.
Apollo Comedy Club will open its doors on Thursday, October 1, 2015. Directly preceding opening
night, the Theater will induct non-musical artists into the Apollo Walk of Fame, for the first time.
Groundbreaking comedians Jackie “Moms” Mabley, Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor, all of whom had
a longstanding relationship with the Theater and are considered Apollo Legends, will officially be
inducted into the Walk of Fame to kick off the comedy series. The Apollo Theater’s Walk of Fame
honors legendary performers who have helped shape the American music landscape and built the Apollo
into one of the world’s most enduring cultural institutions. The plaques will be installed underneath the
Apollo’s marquee on 125th street, alongside plaques for numerous Apollo legends including Louis
Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson, and Patti Labelle, among others.
Recognized primarily for its role in launching the careers of some of the world’s biggest music artists,
the Apollo also has a long and storied history with comedy. Since the Theater first opened its doors in
1934, comics were a central part of the Theater’s variety shows. From the 1930’s through the early
1950’s, comedy at the Apollo consisted of situational, sketch humor and evolved to include stand-up
monologues and social commentary from the mid-1950’s and on. The Apollo’s roster of comic artists
who graced its legendary stage, adding to its already rich legacy include: Lincoln Perry (Stepin Fetchit),
Eddie ―Rochester‖ Anderson, Pigmeat Markham, Mantan Moreland, Tim ―Kingfish‖ Moore,
Butterbeans and Susie, Flournoy Miller, Timmie Rogers, Jackie ―Moms‖ Mabley, Slappy White, Redd
Foxx, Nipsey Russell, George Kirby, Dick Gregory, Flip Wilson, Richard Pryor, Paul Mooney, to name
a few.
―Comedy is very much a part of the Apollo’s DNA and we have been talking about how to reintroduce
it into our mix of programming for a few years now. As with everything we do, we always want to make
sure that we honor the Theater’s legacy and present programming that is new and fresh and examines
the legacy through a contemporary lens. Bob is the perfect partner to help us do that with comedy
because he understands that space inside and out,‖ said Mikki Shepard, the Apollo’s Executive
Producer. ―We are very excited to be partnering with him and to be able to give emerging and
established comedians a nurturing forum that allows them to experiment and hone their craft.‖
―The launch of Apollo Comedy Club and my involvement is a very meaningful thing. The Apollo was
in the fabric of my household. I would visit the Theater as a kid and see Jackie ―Moms‖ Mabley and it
was an exciting experience that is embedded in me,‖ said Bob Sumner, Apollo Comedy Club Curator,
Producer of Def Comedy Jam and Creator of LAFFMOBB. ―The Apollo is known to be the launching
pad for many of the biggest stars in entertainment, both in music and comedy. So for me to now have an
opportunity to come to the Apollo and curate Apollo Comedy Club, I feel that I have come full circle.
Since the early 90s I've been instrumental in launching the careers of many of today's superstars in
comedy. Now being able to continue to identify the best up and coming comedians, I know this great
relationship will take these emerging comedians to the next level in their careers. It's all in the formula,
and we both have it.‖
Apollo Comedy Club’s first season will run from October 2015 to June 2016. Doors open for bar, food
and music by DJ Qool Marv at 9pm and the show begins at 10pm with host Smokey Suarez.
Apollo Comedy Club line up (October 2015 – January 2016)
APOLLO COMEDY CLUB Featuring Marshall Brandon, Del Harrison (DEL) and Davian Velez
Thursday, October 1, 2015 (doors open for bar and food at 9 pm)
Marshall Brandon has been making people laugh since he was a kid. After earning a B.A. in Criminal
Justice, he went on to pursue a career in comedy. Brandon he has gone on to win first place in the
Connecticut Comedy Festival and earned an Emmy nomination from the Boston /New England Chapter
of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. He has appeared on BET’s Comic View and
opened for many of today’s well-known comedians including Mike Epps, D.L Hughley, John
Witherspoon, Talent and A.J. Johnson.
Del Harrison (DEL) is a stand-up comedian, writer, actress and host known for being the creator of
Another Sketch Comedy Show, an online sketch web series that opened its season with a spoof of fellow
comedian Mo’Nique. The skit was well received and DEL was invited to appear on the Mo’Nique Show.
Since then DEL’s sketches have reached over 2 million views. Some of DEL’s career highlights include
Fox’s standup show Laughs, Jamie Foxx’s Laffapalooza, Comedy Central’s Open Mic Fight, MTV’s
MADE and ABC’s The Revolution.
Davian Velez is a New York native with over 15 years of industry experience. He has been seen on
popular Latino TV shows such as Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes, Que Loco and Viva America. Velez
is also known as a producer and host of comedy events in New York City including the Championship
Comedy Series at Yankee Stadium and Comedy Con Salsa.
APOLLO COMEDY CLUB Featuring Angelo Lozada, Hadiyah Robinson and Omar Thompson
Thursday, November 5, 2015; 10 pm (doors open for DJ, bar and food at 9 pm)
Hailed as one of the top 50 Latino comics in the United States, Angelo Lozada attributes his upbringing
in the Bronx for his comedic styling. Housed at the famed Nuyorican Poet’s Café for twelve years,
Lozada’s career highlights include performances on Showtime at the Apollo, BET’s Comic View,
SiTV’s Latino Laugh Festival and Martin Lawrence Presents: First Amendment on the STARZ cable
television network.
Hadiyah Robinson has been performing across the country for the past 10 years. Robinson has made
TV appearances on Comedy Central’s The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, Centric’s According to
Him & Her, Oxygen’s Celebrities Undercover and BET’s Comic View. Before making the leap into
comedy, Robinson made a living as an Associate Producer at MTV, producing such shows as True Life
and P.Diddy’s Making the Band.
Omar Thompson is a standup comedian, writer and actor from Harlem, New York. He attended Post
University where he would host student talent nights and open for various comedians that performed at
the University. After earning his degree, Thompson turned to comedy full-time where he began writing
and producing sketches on his YouTube channel, which has generated over 800,000 views. Thompson
has performed as a headliner at various comedy clubs including Standup NY, Laugh Factory Los
Angeles, Improv, FunnyBone, Gotham Comedy Club and Caroline’s on Broadway.
APOLLO COMEDY CLUB Featuring GL Douglas, Rashaun Reese and Dino Vigo
Thursday, December 3, 2015; 10 pm (doors open for DJ, bar and food at 9 pm)
G.L. Douglas’s brand of clean and wholesome comedy has taken her all over the country. The selfproclaimed ―Good Girl‖ has performed at various comedy clubs, on live television, in Off-Broadway
plays, independent films and on various comedy showcases as host. Douglas’s talents have led her to
share the stage and tour with many well-known artists including Marvin Sapp, LeAndria Johnson, Tye
Tribbett, Small Fry, John Gray and Rickey Smiley. G.L. has been blessed to have found God's favor in
her career pursuits.
Rashaun Reese is an actor, writer and stand-up comedian whose brand of comedy is often described as
honest, hilarious and uncut. Reese has appeared on BET’s Comic View and starred in the 2007
independent film, Gold Digger Killer.
Dino Vigo is a skilled writer and performer with a minimalist approach to comedy. Dino’s mixed-race
has influenced his comedic palate and his uncompromising wit. The Long Island native has performed
at Caroline’s on Broadway, Laugh Factory NYC and Stand Up NYC.
APOLLO COMEDY CLUB Featuring Shatara Curry, John Moses, and Leonard Outz
Thursday, January 7, 2016; 10 pm (doors open for DJ, bar and food at 9 pm)
New Jersey native, Shatara Curry has performed at multiple comedy clubs throughout the U.S. and
U.K. Her conversational style of comedy has no range, as her routine covers multiple topics including
family, relationships, hair, her passion for food and her sobering addiction to shopping. Some of Curry’s
career highlights include a leading role in the independent film Gold Digger Killer, appearances on NBC
Comedian Diversity and MSNBC Today Show.
John Moses has been on the comedy scene for more than 10 years. He is always a standout at comedy
festivals including, The Boston Comedy Festival, The Asheville Comedy Festival and most recently the
Dark Comedy Festival in his hometown of Toronto. Moses’s 2012 debut album, On the Edge, was voted
one of Laughspin.com’s ―10 Best Comedy Albums of 2012. Another career highlight came in 2015,
when he made his second appearance on Gotham Comedy Live and received high praise from the
show’s host, the iconic Dom Irrera.
Leonard Outz is a native of South Carolina who started doing comedy in 2001. His routine involves
topics such as family, current events and the things he notices while walking down the street. Leonard
takes an approach to comedy that is real and thought provoking.
Tickets for Apollo Comedy Club are $20 and $15 in advance for the Apollo’s A-List. There is a $10
drink/food minimum for each show. Tickets are available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 5315305, 253 West 125th Street, and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are
on sale now.
Apollo Theater Information
Box Office Hours:
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri – 10:00am - 6:00pm
Wednesday – 10:00am - 8:30pm
Saturday – 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Get social! For exclusive photos, updates and more use the hashtags #ApolloComedyClub
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About the Apollo Theater
The legendary Apollo Theater—the soul of American culture—plays a vital role in cultivating emerging
talents and launching legends. Since its founding, the Apollo has served as a center of innovation and a
creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world.
With music at its core, the Apollo’s programming extends to dance, theater, performance art, spoken
word initiatives, and more. This includes the October 2014 premiere and 2015 international tour of the
dance celebration project - James Brown: Get on the Good Foot, the annual Africa Now! Festival,
Apollo Club Harlem and the upcoming New York premiere of the opera Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD.
The Apollo is a presenting organization that also produces festivals, large-scale dance and music works
organized around a set of core initiatives: Apollo Music Signature Programs—Amateur Night, Salon
Series, Apollo Music Café; Legacy Series - work that celebrates and extends the Apollo’s legacy
through a contemporary lens; Global Festivals including the Women of the World (WOW) Festival and
Breakin’ Convention, international and U.S.-based artist presentations focused on a specific theme; and
Special Projects, multidisciplinary work with partner organizations.
Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater has served as a testing
ground for new artists working across a variety of art forms, and has ushered in the emergence of many
new musical genres—including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Among the
countless legendary performers who launched their careers at the Apollo are D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill,
Machine Gun Kelly, Miri Ben Ari, D’Angelo, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James
Brown, Michael Jackson, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, and Stevie Wonder; and the Apollo’s
forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy.
The Apollo Theater is a not-for-profit organization and currently in the midst of fundraising for its
21st Century Apollo Campaign, created to extend the institution’s role in fostering artistic innovation
and in building appreciation of American culture around the world. For more information,
visit www.apollotheater.org.
About Bob Sumner
Bob Sumner, co-creator of HBO's Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam is a recognized force in the world
of comedy, with over 20 years of experience discovering many of the top gifted comedians that grace
the stage and big screen around the world.
Before joining Russell Simmons’ company, Rush Communications, Bob was an independent club
promoter for musicians and comedians in the tri-state area. Originally from Roselle, New Jersey, Bob
graduated from Seton Hall University leaving behind the college radio station of all stations after single
handedly taking it to the number one spot.
As co-executive producer and talent scout for Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam, Bob is definitely the
man comedians want to know—he has made superstars out of many of today’s most sought-after
comedians. He is the unseen force behind the comedians who appear on the critically-acclaimed Def
Comedy Jam series. With more than 20 years of experience producing comedy, Sumner is one of the
most adored producers in the world of comedy. During Def Comedy Jam’s first season in the 1990s, he
traveled across the country in search of undeniably, talented comedians to shine on the show. Sumner
has discovered such talent as Bernie Mac, Dave Chapelle, Chris Tucker, Bill Bellamy, Cedric The
Entertainer, Mike Epps, Mo'Nique and a multitude of other undiscovered comedians. He is often
referred to as the black Lorne Michaels (creator of Saturday Night Live) of African American comedy
because he has helped to launch the careers of many of today’s most successful comedians.
Bob also served as Vice-president of talent for Simmons Lathan Entertainment (A Subsidiary of Rush
Communications) and Producer/Talent Scout Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam. Currently, Bob is
Executive Partner in his venture, Laff Mobb, with music and comedy management titan Arthur Spivak.
In addition to ―Laff Mobb’s We Got Next‖, Laff Mobb has produced specials that have aired on
Showtime.
The Apollo's 2015-2016 season is made possible by generous support from American Airlines, BNY
Mellon, Citi, Coca-Cola, Troy and Keisha Dixon, EmblemHealth, Frederick Wildman, The Howard
Gilman Foundation, Carla A. Harris, Robert K. Kraft, The Reginald F. Lewis Foundation, The Parsons
Family Foundation, the Ronald O. Perelman Family Foundation, JoAnn Price, Earl W. and Amanda
Stafford, Time Warner Inc., the Reginald Van Lee New Works Fund, the Apollo Board of Directors and
many other generous donors.
Lead annual support is also provided by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with
the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, the National Endowment
for the Arts, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
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For more information, please contact:
Nina Flowers
Apollo Theater Foundation
212-531-5334
[email protected]
Cynthia Tate
Apollo Theater Foundation
212-531-5340
[email protected]
Chelsea Bruck
Resnicow + Associates
212-671-5164
[email protected]
Isabel Sinistore
Resnicow + Associates
212-671-5175
[email protected]