Content area
Full Text
MICHAEL JACKSON'S DEATH may have been a tragedy for his family and fans, but it proved a boon for all kinds of entertainment entities, not least the Apollo Theater.
Giving thousands of mourners a place to congregate in the days after Mr. Jackson's death--and turning its famed Amateur Night into a tribute to the King of Pop--the historic onetime vaudeville house on West 125th Street reminded the world of its once-central role in popular culture and its hopes to become more relevant now.
But behind its new, electronic marquee and restored facade, the Apollo is still struggling to live up to its potential. Socked by the economic downturn, the nonprofit Apollo Theater Foundation, which operates the legendary venue, has taken a step back from its ambitious plans, postponing its capital campaign and putting the restoration of the theater's lobby on hold.
Plans to move administrative offices into neighboring buildings and create more room for rehearsals and performances have also been delayed, as those development projects seek new financing.
And the foundation can't say when work on the building will resume.
"We...