The new George C. Wolfe musical, Harlem Song, canceled three performances over the weekend due to difficulties with the technical rehearsals.

The show, which is playing the mythic Apollo Theater in Harlem, was to have begun on Saturday July 6. That performance and two shows on July 7 were called off. Harlem Song is expected to commence Monday evening July 8.

Producer John Schreiber told the New York Times that lighting and sound preparations had taken longer than expected. Ticketholders to the canceled performances will be given a refund and free tickets to a future show.

Tony nominee BJ Crosby (Smokey Joe's Cafe) and solo performer Queen Esther lead the company of George C. Wolfe's Harlem Song, the new song-and-dance evening detailing the many aspects of Harlem's history.

Harlem Song revisits and transforms the great songs that have come out of the uptown Manhattan neighborhood's vibrant musical community, be they jazz standards or rap and R & B hits. Using projections and photographs, the musical will recreate life in Harlem from the Jazz Age and the Harlem Renaissance to the area's current spirit of urban renewal and economic rebirth. Joining Crosby and Queen Esther are Rosa Arredono, Renee Monique Brown, Gabriel Croom, Rosa Curry (The Rocky Horror Show, Chicago), Randy Andre Davis (Peter Pan), Delandis McClam, Sinclair Mitchell, Zoie Morris (Ragtime, The Scarlet Pimpernel), Dana Shavonne Rainey, Stacey Sargeant, David St. Louis (Jesus Christ Superstar), Keith Lamelle Thomas (Swing!) and Charles E. Wallace (Miss Saigon).

Designing the show are Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer (lighting), Riccardo Hernandez (settings), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Acme Sound Partners (sound) and Batwin and Robin (multi-media). Daryl Waters and Zane Mark are the musical directors and co-composers of Harlem Song. Wolfe directs the show with Ken Roberson as choreographer.

Harlem Song's producers include The John Schreiber Group, Wolfe, musical theatre composer Frank Wildhorn, David Goodman, Margo Lion, Daryl Roth, music industry legend Herb Alpert and actress (and Thoroughly Modern Millie producer) Whoopi Goldberg.

Tickets are $20-$55. Harlem Song, beginning performances July 6, will run on a three day a week schedule, playing three shows on Saturday, two on Sunday and two on Monday. For reservations, call (212) 307-7171. The Apollo Theatre is located at 253 West 125th Street. Harlem Song is on the web at http://www.harlemsong.com.

—By Robert Simonson