Following the August 26 fire that gutted the Second City's administrative offices and damaged the common areas of the Pipers Alley complex, the comedy theater is ready to reopen its main stage this Thursday, September 17, with a benefit performance for the Chicago Fire Department's Gold Badge Society. The Second City had preemptively canceled performances through Sunday, September 20, but the main stage will be ready sooner than expected.
The other two major performance spaces in Pipers Alley will open next week, with UP Comedy Club resuming Tuesday, September 22 and the Second City e.t.c.'s Soul Brother, Where Art Thou coming back Thursday, September 24. Second City Training Center classes will continue to be held at Tribeca Flashpoint College, Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago and Columbia College until further notice, according to a statement.