Between the World and Me

HBO, the Apollo Theater, and One Story Up present Ta-Nehisi Coates' Between The World And Me - a gripping adaption of the New York Times #1 bestselling book and the Apollo stage performance of the same name.

Originally adapted and staged by the Apollo Theater in 2018, this urgent story of hope and resilience combines elements of that production, including powerful readings from Coates' book, and is directed by award-winning director and Apollo Theater Executive Producer Kamilah Forbes.

Coates' book, which is now recognized as a classic of the Black Lives Matter era, has been reimagined during a global pandemic against the backdrop of the killing of Breonna Taylor and global protests for Black lives. Anchored by an ensemble performance, including Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Yara Shahidi, Oprah Winfrey, and others, this special embodies Coates' letter to his 15-year-old son on coming of age in Black America.

From Jharrell Jerome delivering the pains of growing up in Baltimore's inner city, to Susan Kelechi Watson evoking the HBCU experience, to the musical collaboration of Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ledisi, Between The World And Me explores Coates' vision of a race built beneath white supremacy, and a people built despite it. The special is as breathtaking, heartbreaking, and layered as the Black experience in America.