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Christmas tree ship musical at Cutting Hall in Palatine

TesserAct Theatre Ensemble is staging the musical "The Christmas Schooner" at Cutting Hall in Palatine, a play that harks back to the early 1900s when Christmas tree ships brought evergreen trees cut in the North Woods to Chicago.

"The Christmas Schooner" is based on the true story of a Michigan shipping captain, Hermann Schuenemann, who braves the deadly winter weather every year to bring Christmas trees to homesick German American families for low prices at the Clark Street bridge in downtown Chicago despite his wife's misgivings.

In 1912, the ship, the Rouse-Simmons, foundered in a November gale and the entire crew was lost.

Nonetheless, his wife and daughters, realizing the true importance of the mission, continued to bring the trees well into the 1930s. Since the year 2000, the U.S. Coast Guard has continued the tradition with ceremonies at Navy Pier and by giving away the trees to less fortunate families of Chicago. A timely and stirring tale of love and loss, "The Christmas Schooner" reminds us of tradition, family, and responsibility.

TesserAct Theatre Ensemble was part of the 100th anniversary commemoration in 2012, and cast members met descendants of the family.

Two cast members, Tamara Kist and her mother, Margaret Jackson, both of Palatine, have visited the grave of the captain's wife in Acacia Park Cemetery. Kist plays the role of the captain's wife, while her son Jack and daughter Shenandoah join her in the cast.

Other actors from Palatine include Sheryll Crider and daughter Shayna Rosenberg; Deborah Inman and daughter Julia; Danny Hollander as older Karl and father Rick; Nate Carlson; T.R. Frye; Joseph Harris; Derek May; Molly Mensch; and sister and brother Mary and Bob DiLeo.

Jim Sullivan of Rolling Meadows portrays the captain. Also from Rolling Meadows are Dominick Bisesi and Debbie LoSaso and son Nicky.

Playing the captain's son young Karl is Garrett Hershey of Crystal Lake. Denise Peters of Barrington and daughter Erin join each other onstage.

Adding their talents are Esme Arias-Kim and sister Claire of Hoffman Estates; Larry Andres, a retired fireman and paramedic, and Anne Arza, both Buffalo Grove residents; Sue Mrotek of Mundelein; Joanna Ferrin of Streamwood; Jessica Means, drama coach and teacher at Palatine High School; and Diane Cepa of Arlington Heights.

Catie Beck and Kayla Murschel of Arlington Heights are in the ensemble, and Murschel's father, Glen, a professional guitarist, will perform songs of the sea during intermission.

Production staff includes Music Director Randy Casey of Chicago, Assistant Music Directior Christine Shelton of North Barrington, Producer Colleen Kaminski of Mount Prospect, and Director Julie Price and Choreographer Doreen Wackerfuss, both of Palatine.

The cast of "The Christmas Schooner." Courtesy TesserAct Theatre Ensemble

If you go

What: "The Christmas Schooner"

When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 29, 3 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 30

Where: Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine

Tickets: $14-$18 at (847) 202-5222 or www.cuttinghall.org/tickets.htm

Details: www.tesseractensemble.com

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