WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A fire disrupted opening night at the Crown Uptown Theatre in Wichita after lighting appeared to strike the nearly 100-year-old building.

General manager Max Wilson told The Wichita Eagle that the fire in a breaker in the basement interrupted a performance of “Come Together: A Beatles Review” Saturday evening. Wilson said actors who were rehearsing for another show at the church across the street saw lighting hit the theater before the building’s lights flickered and surged and a loud jolt was heard.

Wilson said a burning smell and smoke coming from the basement tipped performers that something was wrong even though the performance also used a smoke machine in the show.

Wilson said he ran into the basement and used an extinguisher to put out a breaker that was on fire as an alarm warned performers and the audience of about 100 people to exit the building.

“We sure opened with a bang, didn’t we,” Wilson said.

Firefighters arrived and checked the building although it wasn’t immediately clear how much damage the fire and smoke caused. Wilson said he is happy the building that opened in 1928 will survive.

“There was quite a bit of smoke toward the end, so if anything we’ll suffer some smoke damage,” he said. “Those of us who spotted the fire may have a little bit of inhalation.”

Everyone in the audience will be offered either a refund or a rain check for another show, Wilson said.