An underground fire in Baltimore forced a last minute relocation of the Sunday performance of Michael Hersch’s “and we, each.”

The showcase, originally set for the Baltimore Theater Project, too the stage of the 2640 Space one hour later than its original start time.

The opera premiered on Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Baltimore Theater Project, but at 3:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, a fire and smoke erupted from multiple manholes on North Charles St. Power. It was shut down by the Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. Per an official press release, the fire is still under investigation. Then in the afternoon, the theater lost electric power. James Young, co-founder of Mind on Fire and stage director James Daniel set out to find a different location.

“Power was predicted to come back right at 4:30 pm, but was that true? Then we smelled gas. I called my friends at 2640 Space: a beautiful, repurposed church in North Baltimore to see if they could house us. They could. Our profound bad luck was met with good. Everyone went into action,” Young stated. “Michael [Hersch], James [Daniel], our stage manager Nina, and I begin immediately loading all of the integral materials into our cars. The musicians texted each other to communicate the change of plans. I got the ticket list from Chris, the manager of BTP, while he dealt with BGE and the fire department. I sent out an email, made some calls, and made an Instagram post.”

The team had help from volunteers to set up the new space.

“It was beautiful. And we were all riveted. I am so thankful for this city, for our community who can spring into action for the strangest art and most esoteric reasons. Last night re-illuminated my deep love for Baltimore and the people who call it home,” Young added.

“and we, each” heads to Washington D.C. and Brooklyn for performances in October and February 2025, respectively.