The Second City Cancels All Shows This Week After Fire
CHICAGO (CBS) -- As crews continue cleaning up and repairing damage from an extra-alarm fire in Piper's Alley last week, The Second City has cancelled all its shows this week, but hopes to resume a normal schedule a week from Monday.
"It's just not ready yet, unfortunately" co-owner Andrew Alexander said. "You have to have certain things up to code, so we have to make sure that that's all looked after, and we'll have the building inspectors in today, but they've been very cooperative."
An extra-alarm fire started in the kitchen at the Adobo Grill restaurant inside the Piper's Alley complex in Old Town last Wednesday. While The Second City's theaters were largely spared any damage, part of the roof at Piper's Alley collapsed, virtually destroying The Second City's office space.
Alexander said crews have been replacing carpeting, electronics, and other items damaged by smoke and water; to make sure everything is operational for performers, staff, students, and customers.
Most classes also have been cancelled on Monday and Tuesday, but The Second City was hoping to resume a normal class schedule on Wednesday. Students will be provided updates Tuesday afternoon via email, Facebook, and The Second City website.
Although the theaters at The Second City were largely undamaged by the blaze, there was some water damage, and other debris left behind in the lobby and other common areas, and crews have been working to get the theaters back up and running.
Some of The Second City's offices were heavily damaged in the fire, while others were completely destroyed. Repairs for some of those areas could take up to a year.
For now, they have set up shop for about 90 workers in the Loop.
"They started working down there today. Hopefully some of those will be able to come back in about a week or two, but there's portions of our offices are probably going to take closer to a year to rebuild," Alexander said.
Several neighboring businesses -- including Corcoran's Bar & Grill, Starbuck's, and O'Brien's Restaurant -- also have provided temporary work space for The Second City in the aftermath of the fire.
"We have a saying backstage in improvisation: I've got your back. It tells your ensemble that you won't let them fail, that you will support them when they are most vulnerable. So when friends started offering workspace, classrooms, resources, and unconditional support literally minutes after news broke of our fire, it felt like that moment on stage when you are losing it, and your scene partner looks you in the eye and gives you the gift you need to carry on. It's humbling and inspiring. We're very lucky to be a part of a neighborhood, city and theater community that has our backs," The Second City Training Center artistic director Matt Hovde said.
The Second City was planning to host a benefit performance for the Chicago Fire Department, to thank firefighters for their work to spare the theaters any major damage. Details have not yet been released.