Holiday musical 'The Day Before Christmas' opening at Palatine's Cutting Hall
Santa, Mrs. Claus and all their North Pole friends are getting ready for the big day. That is until Jack Frost tries to ruin everything! Find out what happens on "The Day Before Christmas," a holiday musical, when performances begin on Friday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 9, at Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, 150 E. Wood St., in Palatine.
According to Director Julie Price, the play is perfect for kids and families.
"I found the script and it's absolutely adorable," Price said. "There are lots of songs you'll recognize and characters to help you get into the holiday spirit, and a bit of overcoming adversity and sadness."
"The Day Before Christmas" cast includes both children and adults and several Palatine Park District cultural arts teachers.
Tickets to the show are currently available at cuttinghall.org for $12. The performances take place 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8 and 3 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9.
"The Day Before Christmas," written by Ken Jones, Christine Jones, and Jamey Strawn, is a fundraiser supporting Susannah's Gift Scholarship Fund. The fund, with the Palatine Park Foundation, assists community members with financial need, who would like to participate in Palatine Park District cultural arts classes and programs. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the performances for a variety of prizes. Drawings will be held after the last performance and all proceeds will benefit the Susannah's Gift Scholarship fund.
The fund was established to honor the memory of Susannah Kist, a beloved Palatine Park District cultural arts teacher, who lost her battle with cancer in 2009. Price was a friend and assistant to Kist.
"I was taking voice lessons from Susannah when she had just started youth theater classes at Palatine Park District, which my kids were a part of," Price said. "I told her I would love to help, and she was always willing to share her knowledge. Susannah was an amazingly gifted person who could sing, dance, play piano, and act. The cultural arts program at Palatine Park District just exploded in popularity under Susannah's guidance," Price said.
After Kist's death, Price took over teaching theater classes and directing community plays for the Palatine Park District and other community groups.
"I love story telling," she said.
Other Palatine Park District community theater programs include Broadway Bound for ages 11-18 years, Rising Stars, ages 8-10 years, Show Starters, 5-7 years, and summer camps.
For information about cultural arts programs contact Lisa Swan, Palatine Park District Cultural Arts coordinator at (847) 496-6237 or LSwan@palatineparks.org.
The mission of Palatine Park District is to provide a variety of safe, enjoyable, and affordable parks, programs, and recreational facilities that will enhance the quality of life by promoting good health and well-being for all residents and visitors while being fiscally responsible stewards of community assets and tax dollars.