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The Steamboat Community Players had a look of defiance on their faces during Tuesday night's rehearsal.

On Tuesday night, the seats at their dress rehearsal were supposed to be full with friends, family and those who can't afford a full-priced ticket.

Instead, they couldn't even say for sure where the play would be (on Wednesday, the Depot Art Center offered them use of the venue).

For years, the Community Players have struggled. They have not had a home since the Seventh Street Playhouse closed. Their numbers dwindled to a few of the original company members. Their savings account emptied as they paid for the storage of props. But the few that are left finally see light at the end of the tunnel.

This week's production of "The Christmas Corral" was supposed to open the new Steamboat Mountain Theater in Ski Time Square. Construction delays have kept the theater from opening on time, but when it does, the Community Players will have a home again.

Until then, "This play is going on stage come hell or high water," director Rusty de Lucia said.

The actors' defiance during hard times gives spark to their performance of "The Christmas Corral." Written by Andy Gregg, the play is a farcical take on the Dickens classic.

"I chose it because the script was loosely written, and I knew we'd have plenty of chances to improv," de Lucia said. "The theme is the same, 'You feel good if you share,' but the circumstances are different."

"The Christmas Corral" takes place on Scrooge's Double Cross Ranch (XX Ranch). Bob Cratchit (played by Jim Kurowski) is the foreman in this version, and Tiny Tim (played by sixth-grader Sam Keating) is paralyzed after falling off a bucking rooster.

Because the cast had to rehearse at Steamboat Springs Middle School and were unsure where the play would be staged, they had to keep everything bare bones.

"Since our set is minimal," de Lucia said, "the performance depends solely on good acting."