Ta-Nehisi Coates’ award-winning book ‘Between the World and Me’ will come to life in two theatrically staged readings featuring Common and Angela Bassett.
The Apollo Theater will present the world premiere of theatrically staged readings of Coates’ Between the World and Me in two special performances on April 2nd and 3rd.
The performances will bring together music from Jason Moran, video projections as well as appearances from a variety of acclaimed artists and actors.
On April 2nd, Angela Bassett, Common, Joe Morton, Michelle Wilson and Marc Bamuthi Joseph will take the stage. On the next day we will see Susan Kelechi Watson, Pauletta Washington, Joe Morton and Marc Bamuthi Joseph.
Between the World and Me, which won a National Book Award in 2015 and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, explores issues of racism and violence in America, as well as the perception of what black male identity looked like during Coates’ young adult life and how it is perceived today.
“What initially inspired me to bring Between the World and Me to the Apollo stage was the concept of what literature looks like when performed,” said Kamilah Forbes, the Apollo Theater’s Executive Producer. “Reading Between the World and Me was a very raw, personal experience; Ta-Nehisi creates an undeniably bold conversation about the black body, and the Apollo, as a champion of its community, has opened its doors for generations to discussions like this. I wanted to take the feelings that the book inspires from the solitary act of reading and transform them into a collective experience, both for the audience and the performers.”
“The Apollo has a historic tradition of providing the community, specifically the black community, with a powerful platform to share conversations of struggle, and pride through arts and culture,” said Ta-Nehisi Coates. “Watching Between the World and Me come alive on this iconic stage is incredibly exciting and gratifying.”
Tickets for Between the World and Me are available at the Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street, and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are on sale now.