Balcony ‘structural issues’ shut down show at Lexington Opera House
One of downtown Lexington’s main cultural venues apparently had to pause events last weekend after cracks were found in its walls.
At 1:31 p.m. Saturday, comedian Trae Crowder, best known for his viral “Liberal Redneck” porch rant videos, posted on his social media his planned 8 p.m. show that night at the Lexington Opera House was postponed. Crowder cited structural issues with the historic building’s balcony.
Officials with Central Bank Center, which operates Lexington Opera House as well as Rupp Arena and the Lexington Convention Center, did not posted any details onto their website or their social media pages.
Neither Lexington city inspectors or Lexington Fire Department inspectors were involved in inspections of the facility over the weekend, according to city officials.
Central Bank Center general manager Brian Sipe said Monday that the Opera House called in private inspectors when they discovered cracks in drywall. Sipe said that rehearsals for the upcoming Lexington Theatre Company show “Memphis” are moving ahead as planned for the Aug. 3 opening.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Opera House said that “Memphis” shows will go ahead but that the upper balcony, called the gallery, “be closed temporarily for renovations.”
It’s unclear if any other upcoming shows will be impacted, how long the repairs will take or how much they will cost.
Will Trae Crowder Lexington show be rescheduled?
“VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: I have just been notified by the venue in Lexington that an inspector has identified possible structural issues with the balcony and has determined that THE SHOW TONIGHT MUST BE RESCHEDULED,” Crowder posted on Saturday, apparently just hours before the show. “No one’s fault, just an unfortunate circumstance.”
.png "Trae Horizontal 1 (2).png")
Ticketholders were notified by email by Ticketmaster as well that the show was postponed.
Crowder apparently was already in town after a Friday night show in Bowling Green; he posted a photo on Sunday taken at Lexington’s Red Mile harness track saying, “A beautiful last day in Kentucky. See ya tonight Louisville.”
Crowder said online that he hoped to reschedule the Lexington performance “ASAP.”
“I promise I’m as disappointed as you are,” Crowder said.
Lexington Opera House history
The building on Short Street and North Broadway, was built in 1886 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The venue regularly stages traveling productions of Broadway shows, live music and comedy performances and local dance and theater shows.
The 950-seat theater has two balconies and box seats on both sides.
This story was originally published July 24, 2023 at 12:14 PM.
