*The most recent third season of Amazon’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” ended with an episode centered around the World Famous Apollo Theater, where Midge Maisel’s eyes were starting to open regarding racism’s nooks and crannies within the entertainment industry, thanks in part to her brief exchange with Moms Mabley, played by the Emmy-nominated Wanda Sykes.
The episode also included a Hines brothers dance recreation (choreographed by Marguerite Derricks and performed by another tap dancing brother duo – the Foreman Brothers), and a musical performance from the character Shy Baldwin (played by LeRoy McClain and vocals by Darius de Haas), as well as a stand-up set from Midge herself, played by Rachel Brosnahan.
Those three elements – comedy, dance and music – were the topics of a three-part conversation piece birthed from a partnership between “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and The Apollo Theater, and directed by Leigh Silverman.
Participating talent include:
- Comedy conversation: Amy Sherman-Palladino, Daniel Palladino, Rachel Brosnahan (Midge Maisel), Wanda Sykes (Moms Mabley)
- Music conversation: Amy Sherman-Palladino, Daniel Palladino, Sterling K. Brown (Reggie), LeRoy McClain (Shy Baldwin), Darius de Haas (Shy Baldwin vocals)
- Dance conversation: Amy Sherman-Palladino, Daniel Palladino, Maisel choreographer Marguerite Derricks, legendary dancer Savion Glover and dancers Jaden and Ellis Foreman Brothers (Hines Brothers)
The piece is intercut with historical Apollo Theater footage of dance numbers and stand-up sets, and conversations with the Apollo’s Executive Producer Kamilah Forbes, talking about where the Apollo is now and its future, and Apollo Ambassador Billy “Mr. Apollo” Mitchell talking about the theater’s legendary entertainment history.
Watch below:
