Fire in Homeless Shelter Damages All An Act Theatre

The opening night of All An Act Theatre's production of Charley's Aunt came to a dramatic end.

According to All An Act co-owner Dave W. Mitchell, a fire broke out in the West 17th Street building around 1 a.m. Saturday, causing heavy damage to the theater.

"It's that lump in your throat phone call that you don't want to get," said Mitchell. "This is our 20th anniversary season, which is not the way we wanted to start it off."

Located inside of Community Shelter Services, the fire forced the homeless shelter to evacuate more than 120 people.

"It's very devastating to us," said Community Shelter Services Executive Director Diane Lazette. "It's going to be an extreme cost here to us."

No one was hurt or displaced.

However, according to Lazette, the damage to the theater is significant.

"We do have insurance that has been wonderful up to date," said Lazette. "However, with that being siad, the fire damage is extensive."
Meanwhile, Mitchell plans to bring Charley's Aunt to the Station Theatre at the end of May.

"We are going to be able to at least bring Charley's Aunt back," said Mitchell. "The show will go on. It will go on, it just won't be at our current space."

Both Mitchell and Lazette appreciate the community support.

"Thank you everyone who has reached out and been concerned for us," said Mitchell. "We're so grateful that it happened after hours and no one was hurt and that the shelter is continuing forward."

An exact cause of the fire is under investigation.