The Wednesday, March 6, performance of Broadway’s “Hairspray” has been scuttled at Denver’s Buell Theatre following its opening-night cancellation due to a sprinkler-system mishap.
Ticketholders for the March 5 and 6 performances can exchange for alternate dates or receive a refund, according to the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. But the 2-hour and 35-minute production is scheduled to play only through Sunday, March 10, at the Buell.
“Yesterday, we shared that there was an in the Buell Theatre causing a cancellation,” said Heidi Bosk of DCPA. “While we were optimistic that performances could resume today, upon further review we have determined that we need one more day to complete our load-in and thoroughly test our systems to ensure that we can provide the quality production our community is accustomed to.”
“We anticipate that performances will resume tomorrow – Thursday, March 7,” she added.
DCPA officials did not respond to a question about the financial impact of losing these lucrative shows, which support its nonprofit Theatre Company and other programs.
A crew was reportedly working in the Buell when a crew member bumped into a piece of equipment “that set off the sprinklers above the stage,” . “The sprinklers were shut off in a matter of minutes, preventing any major damage,” according to Brian Kitts, director of marketing and communications for Denver Arts and Venues.
“The hold-up today was making sure the lighting was in good shape,” Kitts told The Denver Post Wednesday.
On Monday, the DCPA announced its Broadway lineup for the 2024-25 season, including blockbusters such as “Back to the Future: The Musical,” “Some Like It Hot,” “Hamilton,” “The Book of Mormon” and “Mean Girls.”
