The York Theatre Company Sustains Serious Damage from Water Main Break at St. Peter’s Church; Flood Recovery Fund Established

James Morgan stands in The York Theatre, which sustained water damage on January 4, 2021 after a water main break Photo: James Morgan/Facebook

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Evans Haile, Executive Director) has sustained major damage from a water main break that occurred early on the morning of  January 4. The damage is very extensive on the subterranean levels of St. Peter’s Church, which house the church’s sanctuary and The York’s offices and facility. Up to two feet of water and mud were reported at places in the facility and the theater lobby; various elements including ceilings, walls, carpeting and perhaps even the stage have sustained major damage. The interior of the theater itself received some damage but the new seating installed a few years back seems to be intact. Crews are working long hours daily to remove and protect damaged items.

James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director at The York, stated “we are devastated but will definitely recover.” He went on to say, “there is damage everywhere from the mud and the water. We are in the midst of trying to recover archival files, scripts, lighting equipment, costumes, scenery, and 50 years of York Theatre history. Some things will definitely have to be replaced, such as computers, carpeting and some lighting equipment. What is irreplaceable are the papers and artwork which were soaked in the flood. We ask that you keep us in your thoughts.” Evans Haile, Executive Director, said, “we are closely working with St. Peter’s Church and the City of New York to address the serious issues at hand.” He went on to add, “we will continue our online programming and will be back producing live theater again as soon as we can reopen, pending the pandemic and major repairs. We welcome donations to help get us back on track. We feel very confident in our future.”  Click here to donate.

James Morgan stands in The York Theatre, which sustained water damage on January 4, 2021 after a water main break. Photo: James Morgan/Facebook

James Morgan stands in The York Theatre, which sustained water damage on January 4, 2021 after a water main break. Photo: James Morgan/Facebook

James Morgan stands in The York Theatre, which sustained water damage on January 4, 2021 after a water main break. Photo: James Morgan/Facebook

The legendary lyricist/librettist and decades-long York supporter Tom Jones shared these words of encouragement: “The loss of all the carefully preserved material is tragic, but it is not terminal. The past is the past. The future is what counts. And the space. You have a workable space in the center of New York. That is your ace. If you have the space, you can make it work. You don’t need theatre seats. Folding chairs will do. (That’s what York had when it was born.) You don’t need a fancy light board—at least, in the beginning. You don’t even need sets or costumes—at least, in the beginning. You need a piano. You need performers and a director. And you need exciting material—material that will make people laugh and cry and feel that something special is taking place. I don’t want to be Dr. Pangloss, but I honestly believe that, in the midst of the disaster, there is also a chance for a new beginning, even more exciting than the past. My thoughts and prayers are with you.”

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer and co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films, making films that foster inclusion and diversity on both sides of the camera. Bev’s Girl Films’ debut short film, Hide and Seek was a top ten film in the Asian American Film Lab’s 2015 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition, and she received a Best Actress nomination. BGF collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman. She stars in and served as Executive Producer for the short independent films Hide and Seek, Balancing Act, Rom-Com Gone Wrong, Belongingness and When the World was Young. She is also the Executive Producer for The Cactus, The Language Lesson, The Writer and Cream and 2 Shugahs. All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2021 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com