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Backstage with the Bardavon

Lisa Cortes, Film Producer and Billy "Mr. Apollo Theater" Mitchell

Season 2, Ep. 1
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Host Jode Millman draws back the curtain and brings you backstage at the UPAC Theater in Kingston, New York for an intimate conversation with film producer, Lisa Cortes and Billy Mitchell, the resident Historian of the Landmark Apollo theater in Harlem. Lisa started her career in the music industry working with Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin to launch the iconic Def Jam brand, and then transitioned into filmmaking, working with Director, writer and producer Lee Daniels on such movies as “Precious” and “Monster’s Ball.” Her current projects include the forthcoming “The Remix; Hip Hop X fashion” and the HBO documentary “The Apollo." Since landing at the Apollo’s stage door during a waylaid trip to borrow money from his cousin in 1965, Billy has worked at The Apollo. Becoming a beloved institution himself, Billy’s knowledge and affection for the theater are infectious. This outstanding HBO documentary was recently be screened as part of the Woodstock Film Festival at Kingston’s UPAC theater.

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