Apolinar, Danny

Danny Apolinar (1934-1995) was a multi-talented composer, lyricist, and nightclub entertainer, who perhaps was best known for creating the successful Off-Broadway rock musical, Your Own Thing (1968).

Born Daniel George Apolinar in Brooklyn, New York, Apolinar began dancing lessons at the age of four. In 1956, while still a graphic art student, he began singing and playing the piano at nightclubs. After serving in the military, Apolinar formed the Danny Apolinar Trio, and the group performed in various venues in New York and toured throughout the United States for several years. In 1965, Apolinar settled in San Juan, Puerto Rico, appearing regularly at A Spot In The Sun, a nightclub which he co-owned with composer Hal Hester. During the day, the two men would work on their ideas for a musical, and in the evenings Apolinar would test their compositions in front of an audience. By 1968, these ideas had developed into Your Own Thing, a rock musical which would become an Off-Broadway hit. Originally entitled The London Look, the show was a free adaptation of William Shakespeare's comedy, Twelfth Night. In addition to co-writing the lyrics and music with Hester, Apolinar also designed the logo for the poster, contributed to the costume design, and was part of the on-stage musical group for the original New York production. The show ran for three years in New York, had seven simultaneous touring companies in North America, and also was produced in London and Australia. The Off-Broadway production, received an original cast album, won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, and helped to launch the career of Sandy Duncan. Apolinar's subsequent efforts to replicate that success in musical theater were not as fruitful. He worked on several new shows that remained unproduced, including Alice (1970) and Bugs (1971). Apolinar later wrote the lyrics for two Off-Broadway musicals in collaboration with composer Addy Fieger, The Wicked Mrs. Woodhull (1976) and Changes (1980). His career as a cabaret performer, however, remained a constant throughout his life. A professionally trained graphic artist, Apolinar also created artwork for Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, and record albums.

From the description of Danny Apolinar papers, 1946-2000, (bulk 1957-1993) (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 177180009

Daniel George (Danny) Apolinar (1934-1995) was born in Brooklyn, New York. The son of a French-German mother and a Filipino father, who was an acrobat with a traveling circus, Apolinar began dancing lessons at the age of four, and his interest in entertainment remained alive throughout his life. In 1956, while a student at the School of Industrial Arts, he began singing and playing the piano at night clubs. His first venue was The Five Oaks in Greenwich Village. His career as entertainer was not interrupted even during the years he served in the army, in 1957-1959. In 1958 he participated in the USAEUR Entertainment Contest, and in the following year he won the Special Group-Musical award at the All-Army Entertainment Contest.

Upon his release from the army Apolinar formed the Danny Apolinar Trio, and for the following years the group performed in various venues in New York, including the Left Bank, Jan Wallman’s Upstairs at the Duplex, and Hawaii Kai. During the same time the Trio also toured throughout the United States, including the entire circuit of the Playboy Club in Las Vegas, Chicago, New Orleans and Miami. Described as “a cross between Jerry Lewis and Pat Suzuki”, Apolinar was praised for his quick wit and sense of humor that characterized his lively and somewhat irreverent shows of singing, piano playing, and comedy numbers.

A significant move in his career occurred when, after frequent visits, Apolinar settled in Puerto Rico in 1965. He began playing regularly at Old San Juan’s fashionable bistro A Spot In The Sun, which he co-owned with Hal Hester. For four years the “Spot” became a successful nightspot in the Caribbean. During the day the two men would work on their ideas for a musical, and in the evenings Apolinar would perform and test their compositions in front of his audience.

By 1968 these ideas had formed into Your Own Thing, a rock musical which quickly became an off-Broadway hit. Originally entitled The London Look, the show is inspired by William Shakespeare’s The Twelfth Night . Donald Driver staged the production, which was produced by Zev Bufman and Dorothy Love. Apart from co-writing the lyrics and music for all songs, Apolinar also designed the logo for the poster, contributed in costume design, and was part of the on-stage musical group for the original New York production and National Company in Los Angeles. Your Own Thing ran for three years in New York, had seven simultaneous touring companies in the United States and Canada, was produced in London and Australia, and toured in several European capitals. It won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award as Best Musical in 1968, and launched the career of Sandy Duncan. An RCA Original Cast Album was recorded in 1968.

Subsequent efforts to replicate the success of Your Own Thing were not as fruitful. Apolinar worked towards several new shows that remained unproduced, including Alice in 1970 and Bugs in 1971. In the late 1970s Apolinar wrote the lyrics for two smaller productions, in collaboration with Addy Fieger who wrote the music. The Wicked Mrs. Woodhull opened in 1976, and Changes in 1980, once again produced by Dorothy Love. Previews for Changes began off-Broadway in February 1980, starring Larry Kert and Kelly Bishop, but reviews were not enthusiastic and the show closed after seven performances.

Apolinar’s career as night club entertainer and graphic artist remained constant features throughout his life. He created artwork for Broadway and off-Broadway shows, and record albums, and performed regularly in venues such as the Pub Theatrical and Danny’s Grand Sea Palace. He participated in the design and creation of Danny’s Skylight Room Cabaret, and was awarded with the Backstage “Bistro” Award for Excellence, and the Manhattan Association of Cabarets Awards as Outstanding Pianist/Singer in 1989, 1991 and 1992. Apolinar died in 1995 in New York.

From the guide to the Danny Apolinar papers, 1946-2000, 1957-1993, (The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.)