A Facelift Planned For The Historic Howard Theatre

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- The sounds of jazz, R&B and comedy electrified the stage at the Howard Theatre for nearly a century.

Blues Guitar Player Bobby Parker says, "Friday and Saturday nights were the big nights; they had all the big stars."

Bobby Parker remembers performing at the theater in the early 60s.

Parker says, "We used to play at the Apollo Theatre in New York, the Regal Theatre in Chicago, and the Royal in Baltimore, and when we got to the Howard Theatre here, man, it was one of the best."

Now efforts are underway to bring this "shell" of history back to life.

Board Member Myla Moss of the Historic Theatre Restoration Incorporated says, "We as a board are currently underway with a capital campaign to raise $10 million."

Even though times are tough, donations are coming in.

Moss says, "There is a worldwide economic crisis, but there are people who are dedicated and committed to the rebirth of this theater and who are sending in funds."

Chip Ellis of Ellis Development Group says, "We plan on bringing this facade back to its 1910 version."

Today, the inside of the old theater is filled with broken pillars, crushed seats, and ripped balconies.

Plans call for "Cabaret-style" seating, which will attract corporate gatherings along with live concerts.

Ellis plans to replace the balconies with large projection screens.

The Howard Theatre has a remarkable past, including the debut of the R&B group "The Supremes", Ella Fitzgerald was found on this stage during an amateur night program.

That same amateur night idea was taken to New York to the Apollo Theatre.

James Brown, Lionel Hampton, Marvin Gaye all performed regularly at the Howard, the theater is part of the "Save our America's Treasures" program as one of the 500 treasures in the country.

Meanwhile, Blues Guitar Player Bobby Parker is looking forward to the sounds of jazz coming back to the Shaw neighborhood.

Parker says, "I'd be happy to see the vibrance of the theater again! Let's get entertainment, real stuff back!"

To give a donation, or for more information about the Howard Theatre go to www.howardtheatre.org.