Harris Theater to Remain Closed Through 3/6

The Harris Theater for Music and Dance will remain closed through Thursday, March 6 to repair damaged operational and mechanical equipment caused by an electrical fire that occurred yesterday afternoon. Patrons will be contacted by a Harris Theater representative with further information regarding ticket purchases and upcoming performances.

A plan is currently underway to reschedule performances at the Harris this season for Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Chicago Opera Theater's Queenie Pie, and the Joffrey Academy of Dance Choreographers of Color Awards. Working details on that plan are currently being formulated and the Theater will have further announcements shortly.

Music of the Baroque, which was scheduled to perform a program entitled "Handel and Bach-Italian Style" at the Harris on Monday, March 3, is in the process of determining whether the concert can be moved to another venue, as it cannot be rescheduled, or will have to be cancelled. The group's Sunday, March 2, performance of the same program will go forward as planned at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts.

Earlier today, safety officials confirmed that no structural damage occurred inside or outside the Theater. Officials also outlined a two-week timeline for repair, accounting for the proper installation and inspection of newly acquired electrical equipment. The Harris Theater is expected to be fully operational by March 6.

Michael Tiknis, President and Managing Director of the Harris Theater, added: "We remain in a state of sadness over the loss of the performances of the Hamburg Ballet. But we are confident that repairs to the Theater can be made, and schedules altered in a way that will maintain the majority, if not all, of those that have been affected by this serious electrical malfunction."

The Harris Theater's mission is to partner and collaborate with an array of Chicago's emerging and mid-sized performing arts organizations to help them build the resources and infrastructure necessary to achieve artistic growth and long-term organizational sustainability. Now in the midst of its 10th season, the Harris Theater for Music and Dance was the first multi-use performing arts venue to be built in the Chicago downtown area since 1929 and today the Theater continues to host the most diverse offerings of any venue in Chicago, featuring the city's world-renowned music and dance institutions and theHarris Theater Presents series of acclaimed national and international artists and ensembles.

To learn more about the Harris Theater, visit HarrisTheaterChicago.org or call the Box Office at 312.334.7777 to request a brochure or additional information.

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