OLD TOWN — Second City will be returning to its main stage on Thursday after cancelling shows since a huge fire in the historic building next door.
The comedy troupe will put on a special benefit performance for the Chicago Fire Dept. at 8 p.m. Thursday.
“We are so excited to be headed back to Old Town to begin performances this week,” said Andrew Alexander, CEO and executive producer of Second City.
“We are grateful for everyone’s support and assistance - the City of Chicago, the Chicago Fire Department, The Hartford, Piper's Alley, all of the contractors, the Chicago improv & theater community and all of our friends and neighbors that have helped us through this process. In an unfortunate circumstance, we have been very fortunate.”
Classes will continue to be held at other locations until further notice. Second City will provide updates via its website, Facebook and Twitter pages.
After all performances through the end of the month, Second City will be collecting donations for the fire department. To donate, visit the Chicago Fire Department Gold Badge Society's website.
Second City's offices were destroyed in a massive, extra-alarm blaze Aug. 26 that started as a grease fire in the restaurant downstairs.
The exterior of the building — which is the last remaining piece of Piper's Alley as it was known in the '60s — appears salvageable, advocates say.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
