Deep freeze bursts Village Theatre pipes

Sub-freezing temperatures are to blame for flood damage Tuesday night inside Village Theatre's First Stage property on Front Street North. Eastside Fire and Rescue responded around 6 p.m. to reports of minor flooding caused by burst water pipes inside the building's attic. The resulting damage was extensive but minor, say threatre officials. According to theater spokesperson Michelle Sanders, the water soaked insulation above the audience area, causing the material to collapse on some of the 220 seats below. Some electronic and sound equipment, including a sound board, were all damaged beyond repair. The water also seeped into the basement, damaging a number of costumes and stage props from old productions were stored. Several costumes for a next month's KidStage production, Disney's High School Musical at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, were also soaked and soiled, but will be cleaned in time for the production. Built in 1913, First Stage Theatre was known simply as the Issaquah Theatre Building until Village Theatre reopened it in 1979. The wooden structure served as the Village Theatre's main stage until the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre was built just up the street in 1994. First Stage Theatre, located at 120 Front Street North, currently hosts the theatre's KIDSTAGE productions, classes and debuting new musicals. A $2.5 million renovation for the building was announced last year, but no work has yet taken place.

Contact Issaquah Reporter Staff Kendall Watson at kwatson@issaquah-reporter.com or (425) 391-0363, ext. 5052.

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