Harris Theater halts shows due to electrical fire

An electrical fire Wednesday at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago has forced the cancellation of all shows at the 1,525-seat Millennium Park venue through Thursday, March 6.

The fire, which caused no injuries, damaged mechanical and operational equipment, according to Harris Theater spokesman Matt de la Peña. Safety officials confirmed that no structural damage occurred, but the installation and inspection of new electrical equipment is expected to take two weeks.

A plan is underway to reschedule Chicago Opera Theater's three remaining performances of Duke Ellington's "Queenie Pie," the Alonzo King LINES Ballet and the Joffrey Academy of Dance Choreographers of Color Awards.

Performances by the Hamburg Ballet from Germany earlier this week were canceled outright, while the Music of the Baroque is seeking another Chicago venue to perform its concert "Handel and Bach - Italian Style" scheduled for Monday, March 3. If a venue cannot be found, that concert will be canceled, though the group's performance on Sunday, March 2, will go on at Skokie's North Shore Center for the Performing Arts.

The Harris Theater will contact patrons with further information regarding ticket purchases and upcoming performances. For more information, call (312) 334-7777 or visit harristheaterchicago.org.