The Apollo Theater is going to start having daytime shows starring holograms. (Did I just write that?)
Yes, Billie Holiday is first thanks to something called Holograms USA. The Apollo will be the first theater to use this new patented technology, according to a press release.
Of course this means no meet and greets, no opening night parties for the star, no autographs. On the other hand, the Apollo can cut way back on catering for the star. No perk package. The rider will just say, Make sure the air is dust-free.
Will people come to this? Why not? And the Holiday estate gets paid. Jake Wisely, CEO of The Bicycle Music Company, which manages Holiday’s estate, said in the release: “As we continue to celebrate Billie Holiday’s centennial, we are thrilled to partner on this initiative that will help connect contemporary audiences with Lady Day’s music and legacy in a fresh, exciting way.”
Someone tell Audra McDonald she needn’t have bothered to learn all those songs last year.
Me, I like to see people in person. I don’t see dead people. Not yet, anyway.
By the way, this company, Hologram USA, is bringing back Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Patsy Cline, Liberace, and Buddy Holly, as well as dead rapper Big Pun. They also have Andy Kaufman on their website. I knew he wasn’t dead!
