Fire escape problems at Academy of Music Theatre

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - The City of Northampton’s building commissioner has found structural defects at the Academy of Music Theatre , which is having an impact on at least one upcoming show.

Building Commissioner Louis Hasbrouck told 22News says that he found structural defects on all four of the building's fire escapes that serve upper seating areas. 

Because of this, the balcony and loge sections of the theater cannot be occupied, and the seating capacity thus has to drop from 800 to about 400.

This drop in occupancy has led to the move of one of the theater's upcoming shows.  The P.S. 22 Chorus and Young @ Heart show will now take place at the John M. Greene Hall at Smith College. 

More than 400 people have purchased tickets for this show, which is the only program affected as a result of this inspection thus far.

Commissioner Hasbrouck that says all fire escapes are expected to be fixed by early next week.