Cutting Hall Fire No Match for 'The Christmas Schooner'

Updated Nov. 14.

The Christmas Schooner will arrive in Palatine, just a week later than expected.

The TesserAct Theatre Ensemble production was set to debut Nov. 19 at Cutting Hall, but a Nov. 8 fire at the Palatine Park District community-owned theater threatened the show.

"The show will go on," Director Rick Browne said. "We are not going to allow a fire to prevent The Christmas Schooner from arriving in Palatine."

The production's opening has been pushed back to Nov. 26. Also, instead of eight shows, there will be six. Still, Browne said he was thrilled something could be worked out with the park district and praised the district's cooperation during a difficult time.

"We will be the first show to open since the fire," Browne said. "It's been a very stressful week. We checked other venues, but they were packed."

The new schedule of shows is Friday, Nov. 26 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 27 at 2 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 28 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. On Monday, TesserAct will host their annual VIP gala at 6 p.m. with drinks and appetizers, followed by a show at 7 p.m.

Tickets that were purchased in advance can be exchanged for tickets to a new show, or refunded. Browne said ticket holders need to contact the Cutting Hall box office to make the exchange.

Earlier this week, the Palatine Park District announced the relocation and rescheduling of several Cutting Hall .

The Christmas Schooner is inspired by Christmas tree ships that used to sail across Lake Michigan to deliver trees to Chicago. According to TesserAct's website, the musical tells the story of Peter and Alma Stossel, German immigrants in the 1880s.

The production is "an exciting musical story of courage, tradition, family value and the spirit of Christmas giving," TesserAct's website states.

Tickets for the show can be purchased through TesserAct's website or the Cutting Hall box office.

Palatine fire officials have said the cause of the fire was electrical. The fire occurred in an office, where firefighters were able to contain it. Other areas of the building endured smoke and water damage, with the lobby being the hardest hit, park officials have said.