THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER | Fact Sheet by Music Theatre International

Performance rights: Music Theatre International www.mtishows.com (212) 541-4684

The Christmas Schooner has received 120 productions since 1993 and is the longest running holiday musical in Chicago history. Its Chicago debut at Bailiwick Rep won the After Dark Award for “outstanding new work,” and over the years the show has been nominated for numerous Joseph Jefferson Awards, including best musical and best actor. The Christmas Schooner debuted to critical acclaim in England in 2003. The 2011 Equity production at Mercury Theater Chicago was named one of the top 25 shows of the entire year--out of hundreds of productions—based on a tally of reviews by Chicago-area critics, compiled byTheatreInChicago.com.

“Schooner offers magic that’s unforgettable”—Times-Picayune, New Orleans

Synopsis, Cast, Instrumentation Based on the historic Great Lakes voyages of Christmas tree ships during the late 1800s and early 1900s, The Christmas Schooner tells the fictional story of the first shipping captain who braved the deadly winter weather to bring Christmas trees to homesick German American families in Chicago. His voyages become a yearly tradition despite his wife’s misgivings — until a fateful voyage makes her realize the true importance of his mission. It is a story of the American pioneer spirit, of our rich maritime history, and a celebration of family and tradition.

Cast requirements: 7 men, 4 women, 2 children Orchestration: by Tony nominee Larry Blank A piano-only accompaniment is also available.

Mercury Theater Chicago 2011

Cast album, other materials

& Author contact: Louisa May Alleycat Music (847) 832-1105 Email: LMAMusic@aol.com

Critical Response & Other Comments ¾ “The happy start of a grand family tradition… sparked with humor and graced with tender sentiment… a melodic score and stirring tale… This Chicago holiday classic [is] a proverbial Off-Loop theatre success story.” (Chicago Tribune) ¾ “A new Christmas classic may be in the making… The music is gorgeous, the story-line fits—it’s going to become an annual thing.” (Morning Journal, Sheffield Village, Ohio) ¾ “This heartwarming musical… reminds us… that life is precious and fragile as a glass ornament. Shannon’s music is clear, strong, …delicate… haunting [and] exuberant; it brings us on a journey as varied as the waters of Lake Michigan. (Backstage Magazine)

“The happy start of a grand family tradition.” —Chicago Tribune “This is theatre at its best…a mixture of tragedy and joy which can be enjoyed by young and old alike.” —BBC-GoingOut in Bristol, England ¾ “A holiday heartwarmer. Reeger and Shannon wrap the story in an authentic warmth, not the sugary sentimentality so common in holiday dramas.…a charming and mature tale… with lots of humor and pathos could become a holiday classic.” (Austin-American Statesman, Texas) ¾ “A marvelous musical…a perfect blend of story and song. Shannon’s songs are beautiful, moving and melodious… There’s also a good deal of humor. Absolutely recommended.” (Roy Leonard, WGN TV & Radio)

Mercury Theater Chicago 2011

“A classic”—Chicago Sun-Times ¾ “A fantastic musical!” (Maritime historian Fred Neuschel, The Christmas Tree Ship: A Holiday Storm Story, Weather Channel) ¾ “Schooner…is the most emotionally stirring theatrical Christmas story. [T]his is the same Schooner that weighed anchor at the Bailiwick Arts Center in Chicago for more than a decade. It was a beloved attraction on Belmont Avenue, where Schooner receipts subsidized many other Bailiwick operations…. I saw this show almost every year of its existence, out of professional duties but also because it became a strikingly intense part of my personal Christmas…. For me, this unashamedly sentimental celebration of the immigrant peoples behind the 19th century Christmas ships that carried trees from northern Michigan to the old Clark Street dock is to the Chicago Christmas as the Rockettes are to New York’s…. Stylish vocalists like Brandon DahlBailiwick Repertory quist (Peter Stossel, the selfless captain of the Molly) and Cory Goodrich (his wife, Alma) sing Shannon’s

ping heritage and German-American Christmas traditions to create a warmly intimate holiday offering ” (Minneapolis Star Tribune) ¾ “A classic…. that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Refreshingly unsanctimonious… a rare holiday treasure… a delightful blend of humorous and tragic songs. [This] touching slice of life [is] an inheritance to be treasured.” (Chicago Sun-Times) ¾ “A celebration of the American pioneer spirit.” (Theatre Week) ¾ “Editor’s Choice” (American Theatre Magazine, 1996) ¾ “The Christmas Schooner is a moving, joyous celebration of the importance of tradition. Julie Shannon’s richly melodic score, beautifully sung on the Songs from The Christmas Schooner CD, is inspired—and that’s a word I rarely use!” (Tony Award winner Sheldon Harnick) ¾ “I now have a new favorite holiday show…. It [has] a complex diverse score that moves with the changing tide in the play and allows the astonishing voices on stage to fill the house with the emotion of their characters…. [It] moved me in all directions, having me laughing through-

“Wonderful! … a big-hearted musical … very much recommended.” —Chicago Public Radio, NPR (Jonathan Abarbanel) score as you’ve never heard it sung…. out the play and crying at the end…. “Inspired”—Sheldon Harnick, And Shannon’s folk-flavored score now As in all true stories, there are has been orchestrated by the acclaimed moments of disappointment and sadPulitzer Prize & Tony Award winner Larry Blank for cello, reeds, harp and ness, but the courage and strength of beyond…. I was wiping away tears the Stossel family bring out the true when the captain says that the reason he meaning of Christmas. Their “Don’t miss this show, it is special.” hauls trees to the lonely people of kindness reached people of all ethnic — Northwest Indiana Times Chicago is that he has so much, and backgrounds and the joy they brought because it won’t otherwise get done. to others made their difficult journeys Moist eyes were pervasive. This is our seasonal show, all about our lake, worth their sacrifice. The Christmas Schooner is a timeless musical that and how great that it is now touching a whole other corner of Lake should be seen by all those dwelling near the Great Lakes, and across the Michigan’s landfall. When the hydraulic stage at Munster’s Theatre at the U.S. This is a truly American Christmas story of family relations, tradiCenter whirs into gear to form the hull of the Molly Doone, it’s clear this is tions and generosity in the melting pot of the Midwest.” Chicago not the same Christmas Schooner that occupied Bailiwick Repertory for so Theatre Blog, 2009, Timothy McGuire, 2000) many years. Chuck Gessert’s sophisticated production has both fuller orchestrations and Broadway-caliber actors like Peter Kevoian, capable of ¾ “Enhanced Schooner Once Again Sails into Our Hearts!” turning the gruff old Gustav into the emotional core of the show.” (Chi“The Christmas Schooner is my all-time favorite holiday show…. Family cago Tribune, 2009) values, sharing traditions and…helping others are all worthy endeavors especially during the holidays. What better way to celebrate these values than ¾ “Schooner Triumphs…Tale of German immigrants well told. [It] shines to be moved by this beautiful ode to the basic goodness of man?... Shannon like a cherished German glass ornament… has the charm and pathos of A mixes her score with anthems, bouncy folksy tunes, ballads and a polka to Christmas Carol but with a fresh story that hasn’t been told a thousand capture the human spirit of these folks…. Shannon’s music will haunt you times. It is by turns funny and tragic, but ultimately inspiring.” (Pioneer and Reeger’s book demonstrates the selflessness of man. We all need to hear Press, Minneapolis-St. Paul) ‘The Blessing of the Branch’ as it urges us to take the little branch and pass it along. Be sure to take The Christmas Schooner and pass it along to your ¾ “An epic American story, with sweeping music, a grand style and hefamily and friends. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED” roic themes…. Exudes heart, humor, vigor and strong voice wrapped in a (ChicagoCritic.com, Tom Williams, 2009) tale of humanity wrestling with the atavistic power of nature for a higher, ¾ “Wayside’s Christmas Schooner Anchors True Holiday Spirit. For a noble purpose. … This heartfelt musical draws on the Great Lakes ship-

couple of hours of pure holiday entertainment, The Christmas Schooner should not be missed.” (The Winchester Star, Virginia) ¾ “Christmas Schooner Wows Again. Filled with heart, charming music…has all the makings for becoming a true Christmas classic. Brimming with emotion, regional flavor and history…filled with anticipation, love and giving.” (Alpena News, Alpena, MI) ¾ “The story of a family, of dreams followed, of tradition, of Christmas at risk and Christmas saved, of tragedy endured (and relieved by comedy) and of appreciation deepened. It’s like a Hallmark television Christmas special but live and with songs…. [The] audience loved it… Christmas Schooner will move you.” (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) ¾ “Like Quilters, another heartland musical based on history, The Christmas Schooner gives us a glimpse of a harder, yet somehow simpler and sweeter, time. That’s something people crave at the holidays.” (Spokesman.com, Spokane, Washington)

Theatre at the Center

¾ “Spokane Civic Theatre is presenting an affecting Christmas musical reminding viewers of some of our shared values: community, self-sacrifice, the continuity of tradition…. the mix of sadness and resilience undercuts sentimentality with inspiring results…. After the rush of a busy workday, The Christmas Schooner's emphasis on community and sharing put me right into a holiday mood…. a Christmas show that deserves to be replayed in future seasons.” (The Pacific Northwest Inlander, Spokane, Washington)

¾ An “exquisite score… ballads, duets and anthems of astonishing complexity [including] a maritime hymn as haunting and mysterious as any passage in Melville.” (This Month on Stage, national, and Windy City Times, Chicago)

¾ “A tuneful score and warm-hearted humanity that wins over the most bitter of cynics.” (New City, Chicago)

and all of which fit the feeling of the piece quite well.” (PotomacStages.com, Washington, DC and Virginia)

¾ “A Favorite Christmas Show Gets a Glorious Send-Off” “I looked back through the Tribune archives this week to see which Chicago Christmas show I’ve seen the most: The Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol, around a dozen times. Carol is such a tradition that I’ve

“A great family story [that] tells us what is great about America…. It is about helping others out during tough economic times.” —Mike Yonkura, Director, Royalton Players, Cleveland Sun-Star, Cleveland, Ohio ¾ “Put The Christmas Schooner on your must see list for holidays.... Make Schooner a family tradition. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. ” (ChicagoCritic.com, Tom Williams, 2011), reviewing The Mercury Theater Chicago production ¾ “Schooner is delightful… What a way to start off the holiday season! Fantastic!” (Door County Advocate, Door County, Wisconsin) ¾ “If you’ve seen one too many editions of A Christmas Carol… here’s a chance to refresh your taste buds for the season… a well constructed family show… well defined characters…. The piece is charming, in part because it has a fine score of over a dozen songs most of which admirably advance the story or illustrate a character,

Skylight Opera Theatre

long felt the Tribune would not be doing its duty if somebody didn’t issue an annual report on the current state of Scroogedom…. But if I think about which show I’ve most cheerfully revisited it’s the annual Bailiwick Repertory Theatre production of The Christmas Schooner…. I first saw the show in 1996 and I’ve been back almost every year since…. This lovely musical by John Reeger and Julie Shannon follows the travails of the crew of the much-loved Christmas ships that once sailed down a wintry Lake Michigan to bring Christmas trees to immigrant Chicagoans who missed the traditions of the homeland. This isn’t a show set in Dickensian London or on Fifth Avenue. Its most important scenes are set in the old Clark Street Dock. Its score isn’t made up of carols or spectacular production numbers, but rooted in the traditional music of the Midwest and its immigrant populations. And its characters aren’t emulating Daddy Warbucks. They’re regular people trying to do their best…. This year’s Christmas Schooner is the best of all the years I’ve seen. (Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 2008 )

In 2009, Tribune critic Chris Jones named Schooner the Chicago region’s #1 holiday show.

Skylight Opera Theatre

“Charming … a well constructed family show.” — PotomacStages, Washington, DC Spokane Civic Theatre

“A holiday heartwarmer …with lots of humor and pathos …could become a holiday classic.” — Austin-American Statesman, Austin, Texas

Spokane Civic Theatre

“Schooner Triumphs” —Pioneer Press, St. Paul Theatre at the Center

¾ “A touching tale. The words from John Reeger’s book combined with the music and lyrics of Julie Shannon weave a compelling story based on the history of actual Christmas tree ships.” (On Milwaukee.com)

Ɣ Mercury Theater Chicago (2011; slated for 2012 return)

¾ “Its emphasis on family connections, the importance of traditions and having a generous spirit make it the perfect destination for a family outing.” (Lawrence.com, Lawrence, Kansas)

John Reeger (book) and Julie Shannon (music & lyrics) have collaborated on 4 musicals. Their musical Stones premiered at the St. Louis Black Rep and was subsequently produced by Arizona’s Phoenix Theatre and Bailiwick Rep. Stones garnered numerous nominations and awards, including from The Black Theatre Alliance. A Chicago production featured Tony nominee (The Color Purple) Felicia P. Fields. John and Julie’s musical drama, Let the Eagle Fly— The Story of Cesar Chavez and the Farm Workers, was performed in a sold out concert at the Goodman Theatre as part of Goodman’s 2004 Latino Theatre Festival. The show then received staged productions in Texas at the University of Texas Pan American and in California at California Stage (Sacramento), Teatro Máscara Mágica/ Southwestern College (Chula Vista), San Jose City College (produced by the Chavez family), and Western Stage (Salinas). Besides her collaboration with John Reeger, Julie has written and recorded albums for children with storyteller Rives Collins, head of the Northwestern University Theatre Department. Their album Let’s Fill Up the House with Stories and Songs garnered a Parents’ Choice Award (available from Louisa May Alleycat Music—LMAMusic@aol.com). An ASCAP member, Julie was a member of the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop in New York City, led over the years by Lehman Engel, Ed Kleban, and Maury Yeston. An award-winning Chicago-based actor, John has performed in more than a hundred plays and musicals on Chicago-area stages, including Court, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare and the Goodman. Elsewhere, John has appeared in productions at the Kennedy Center, Goodspeed Opera House, The Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival, Fulton Opera House, and Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom (the latter in a traveling Chicago Shakespeare production). Both John and Julie are members of the Dramatists Guild.

¾ “Who knew, when this homegrown musical premiered at Bailiwick Repertory in 1995, that in the next 13 years, it would be restaged in maritime cities throughout the Great Lakes region, in landlocked outposts where sailing ships are as exotic as rickshaws (Arizona, Colorado, Texas) and even in seafaring towns across the Atlantic (Bristol—the English one—in 2003)…. The voyages of the good ship Molly Doone and the universal appeal inspired by its philanthropic lesson have already delighted holiday audiences in ports as diverse as North Dakota secondary schools, Kansas churches and California resorts.” (Windy City Times, 2009) ¾ “Returning for a 3rd smash year…” (Showup.com, Peoria, Arizona, 2007)

Production History

Schooner has been produced in 21 states, from Virginia to California and Minnesota to Texas, and in Bristol, England. Among the 120 productions are Equity, non-Equity commercial, school, church, and community theatre productions, including: Ɣ Northwestern University (Evanston, IL, 1993; world premiere directed by Dominic Missimi) Ɣ Bailiwick Rep (Chicago, 12 productions, 1995-2008) Ɣ History Theatre (St. Paul, MN, 2001, 2002, 2010) Ɣ Theatreworx (Bristol, England, 2003) Ɣ Skylight Opera Theatre (Milwaukee, 2003) Ɣ Wayside Theatre (Virginia, 2004) Ɣ Theatre at the Center (Munster, Indiana, 2009)

About the Authors

(3/16/12)

Theatre at the Center

¾ “A tuneful score and warm-hearted humanity that wins over the most bitter of cynics.” (New City, Chicago)

and all of which fit the feeling of the piece quite well.” (PotomacStages.com, Washington, DC and Virginia)

Skylight Opera Theatre

In 2009, Tribune critic Chris Jones named Schooner the Chicago region’s #1 holiday show.

Skylight Opera Theatre