Creating a Holiday Classic Uptown - Classical Theatre of Harlem’s and The Apollo Team Up to Present The First Noel
by Ty Jones - Producing Artistic Director Classical Theatre of Harlem
From Rockefeller Center to 5th avenue window displays to holiday markets, the holidays are truly a magical time in New York. One of the hallmarks of the season in NYC are the wonderful holiday shows that people from near and far can enjoy. When I looked at that landscape of existing shows, I realized that we could contribute to that by offering a distinctly uptown holiday show that embodies the spirit of the season - and there is no better partner to team with than the World Famous Apollo theater. We want Harlem to be a destination site for holiday entertainment for New Yorkers and the city’s visitors alike, and believe that our production of The First Noel has the potential to become a classic to complement those presented downtown like The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol.
To the Mainstage:
The Classical Theater of Harlem’s The First Noel premiered last year on The Apollo’s soundstage, but this year we’ve made a huge move to the mainstage which is a mammoth 1,500-seat theater. This is momentous for our company, the cast and crew. It’s such an honor to be able to present on this legendary stage.
Harlem’s Holiday Classic:
The Classical Theatre of Harlem seeks to move people in heartfelt and meaningful ways. What we hope people walk away with after seeing The First Noel is to remember that no matter how difficult and demanding life may be, together, we can find our way out of any adversity. This story, which follows three generations of a Harlem family affected by tragedy, shows how a community is healed and exemplifies how ordinary people can do extraordinary things to help one another receive the gift of love at Christmas time. The musical features original music and re-imagined classic carols—ranging from pop to jazz to gospel. Let me just say, a profound story with powerful voices equal a memorable night in the theater!
The 10-show performance schedule for The First Noel is:
Saturday, December 10 at 7:30pm
Sunday, December 11 at 5pm early evening
Monday, December 12 (DARK)
Tuesday, December 13 at 7:30pm (OPENING NIGHT)
Wednesday, December 14 at 2pm matinee
Wednesday, December 14 at 7:30pm
Thursday, December 15 at 7:30pm
Friday, December 16 at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 17 at 2pm matinee
Saturday, December 17 at 7:30pm
Sunday, December 18 at 2pm matinee
Performances of The First Noel take place at the Apollo Theater Mainstage (253 West 125th Street, Harlem, NYC). The production is part of the “Holidays at the Apollo” family-friendly programming series. Recommended for ages 5+.
Tickets are available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: 212-531-5305 (253 West 125th Street) and via Ticketmaster.com: 1-800-745-3000. Group Sales: 212-531-5355. Tickets range in price from $30 - $65. Apollo Advantage member pricing: $30 - $40. To learn more, visit: https://www.apollotheater.org/firstnoel/
