Roxy Theatre fundraising to recover losses after massive fire

Nearly two months after Edmonton's Roxy Theatre was gutted by a massive fire, Theatre Network is still struggling to recoup its losses and find venues for its shows.

Firefighters were called out to the 124th Street theatre early on the morning of Jan. 13 but were unable to save the building.

Only one day after the fire,Theatre Network, which owned and operate the Roxy, announced it planned to rebuild.

Since then,artistic director Bradley Moss said company members have been working hard.

Its been really overwhelmingly busy he said. I think a lot of people think were back up and were happening and stuff. But its still a struggle to find venues. Theres a lack of venue space in the city.

A challenge, Moss says, as they try to recoup their losses.

We really are starting from scratch. We lost everything. Its all gone. We do have insurance, but thats all in process now as we start to build ourselves back up.

Several fundraisers have been heldby other theatre groups over the past several weeks.

Now, Theatre Network is preparing its own event with a special 40th anniversary show. Summer of Amazing Luck willl runMarch 6and March 7, and will feature an array of local talent.

According to Moss, the plan is to use humour to help.

There will be bricks for sale from the building. And were trying to have some tongue-and-cheek fun, like serving some baked Alaska.That doesnt mean you dont have reverence for the building we were part of and caretakers of for 30 years. Dont misinterpret our humour its part of the healing process.

The show will be the first held at theBackstage Theatre, a new venue the Varscona is creating inside the Arts Barns in collaboration with Fringe Theatre Ventures.

The show will be a major event for the group, which still has a long way to go in their fundraising efforts.

Millions and millions...just to give you an idea," said Moss. "If you think about the Varscona project, theyre about a $9-million or $10-million project, so I can only imagine we would be somewhere in that area.We are a slow fix situation.

The Theatre Networks annual Spring Fling Gala will also help with fundraising efforts. It takes place April 29 at the Chateau Lacombe.