Oriental ‘Miracle’

A portion of the ceiling at Denver’s historic 707-capacity Oriental Theatre fell onto the stage Sept. 23. The collapse occurred moments after fiddle player Doug Kershaw and his band ended their concert.

Witnesses called it nothing less than a miracle that nobody was hurt at the 84-year-old theatre.

“The band was definitely at risk,” venue booker Scott LaBarbera told the Denver Post. “Everyone is kind of in shock, but we feel very blessed that no one was hurt.”

About 150 people attended the concert but only 50 were left when the collapse happened. LaBarbera said about a 20- by 15-foot section of the ceiling fell directly onto the stage. He added that about 3 inches of plaster and pieces of drywall fell.

The collapse did not affect the lighting grid.

Kershaw, 75, was said to have taken the scare in stride.