The Christmas Schooner
Encyclopedia
The Christmas Schooner is a musical
written by John Reeger
with music and lyrics by Julie Shannon.
Premiered at Bailiwick Repertory Theatre
and received the 1996 Chicago After Dark Award for outstanding new work. A twelve year (as of 2006) continuing seasonal run has followed as well as a CD, and productions in the Midwest, Texas and California have also been successful. 2006 was the final season for the performance at the Bailiwick Repertory Theatre.
Based on the true story of the Rouse Simmons
, a Great Lakes
schooner whose captain risks life and limb to transport fir trees from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Chicago's German immigrants during the late 19th century. Notable songs from the musical include "We All Have Songs," "Pass it On," "What is it About the Water?," "Winterfest Polka," "Questions," and "Hardwater Sailors."
The professional World Premiere of “The Christmas Schooner” debuted at the Bailiwick Repertory Theatre in the Winter of 1995.
Directed by David Zak with the following actors in the main roles: David G. Peryam as Peter Stossel, Candace L. Johnson as Alma Stossel, Roscoe Frasier as Gus, Anthony Cotton as Karl (age 9), and Becca Daniels as Cousin Martha. Other actors featured throughout the annual run of Chrtistmas Schooner include: Amy Arbizzani (Martha, Alma), Tom Higgins (Gus), Ben Stoner (Steve), Brendon Martin (Young Karl), Hilary Feldman (Enid), Gretchen Goodrich (Cousin Martha), David Vish (Oskar), JB Ward (Olive), Tom Shea (Rudy), Paul Mullen (Hans), Jendi Tarde (Enid), and Kevin Pease (Older Karl)
Since its professional debut at the Bailiwick Repertory Theatre, "The Christmas Schooner" has been done by several amateur and school theatre groups, including a 2004 performance by Wakefield in The Plains, Virginia. Under the direction of Benjamin Shoenberger, Wolf-Ekkehard Hindrichs starred as Peter Stossel alongside Angie Hicks as Alma Stossel.
This is the first major production of "The Christmas Schooner" in the Chicago city limits since the Bailiwick Repertory Theatre in 2008, began previews on November 16, 2011 and opened on November 19, 2011. Directed by L. Walter Stearns, Executive Director of The Mercury Theater, musical directed by Eugene Dizon, and choreographed by Brenda Didier. The cast includes Cory Goodrich (Alma), Karl Sean Hamilton (Peter), Jim Sherman (Gus), Daniel Coonley (Karl, age 9), Mark Kosten (Karl, age 15), Elizabeth Haley (Martha), Kelly Anne Clark (Caitlin), Dina DiCostanzo (Olive/Rose), John Finley (Louis), Ronald Keaton (Oskar), Caroline Kobylarz (Enid), Benjamin Magnuson (Steve), Isabelle Roberts (Mary Claire), Thomas M. Shea (Rudy), and Ryan Westwood (Hans/Officer Wells).
Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune said, "So when I say that the newest production of the "Schooner" at the reborn Mercury Theater, is by far the best sung of that dozen I've seen, that's pretty much the whole deal. You may well have seen "Schooner" before, but you won't have heard it sung (or seen it acted) at this level. Critic's Choice." Mary Houlihan of the Chicago Sun-Times said, "L. Walter Stearns has given the musical new life in a production that pleases in every way. With this heartwarming production, "The Christmas Schooner" rejoins the ranks of holiday favorites."
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
written by John Reeger
John Reeger
John Reeger is a Chicago actor and playwright. He is married to Paula Scrofano and has two children, Adam and Alison Reeger.* Horace Vandergelder in Hello, Dolly!* The Old Man in A Christmas Story-Drury Lane Theatre:...
with music and lyrics by Julie Shannon.
Premiered at Bailiwick Repertory Theatre
Bailiwick Repertory Theatre
The Bailiwick Repertory Theatre is a theater company in Chicago founded in 1982 that produces eclectic works. It stages productions at the Bailiwick Arts Center , its home since 1995.In 2007, it presented the American premiere of Jerry Springer - The Opera....
and received the 1996 Chicago After Dark Award for outstanding new work. A twelve year (as of 2006) continuing seasonal run has followed as well as a CD, and productions in the Midwest, Texas and California have also been successful. 2006 was the final season for the performance at the Bailiwick Repertory Theatre.
Based on the true story of the Rouse Simmons
Rouse Simmons
The Rouse Simmons was a three-masted schooner famous for having sunk in a violent storm on Lake Michigan in 1912. The ship was bound for Chicago with a cargo of Christmas trees when it foundered off the coast of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, killing all on board....
, a Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
schooner whose captain risks life and limb to transport fir trees from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Chicago's German immigrants during the late 19th century. Notable songs from the musical include "We All Have Songs," "Pass it On," "What is it About the Water?," "Winterfest Polka," "Questions," and "Hardwater Sailors."
Performances
- Bailiwick Repertory TheatreBailiwick Repertory TheatreThe Bailiwick Repertory Theatre is a theater company in Chicago founded in 1982 that produces eclectic works. It stages productions at the Bailiwick Arts Center , its home since 1995.In 2007, it presented the American premiere of Jerry Springer - The Opera....
The professional World Premiere of “The Christmas Schooner” debuted at the Bailiwick Repertory Theatre in the Winter of 1995.
Directed by David Zak with the following actors in the main roles: David G. Peryam as Peter Stossel, Candace L. Johnson as Alma Stossel, Roscoe Frasier as Gus, Anthony Cotton as Karl (age 9), and Becca Daniels as Cousin Martha. Other actors featured throughout the annual run of Chrtistmas Schooner include: Amy Arbizzani (Martha, Alma), Tom Higgins (Gus), Ben Stoner (Steve), Brendon Martin (Young Karl), Hilary Feldman (Enid), Gretchen Goodrich (Cousin Martha), David Vish (Oskar), JB Ward (Olive), Tom Shea (Rudy), Paul Mullen (Hans), Jendi Tarde (Enid), and Kevin Pease (Older Karl)
- Wakfield School Theatre
Since its professional debut at the Bailiwick Repertory Theatre, "The Christmas Schooner" has been done by several amateur and school theatre groups, including a 2004 performance by Wakefield in The Plains, Virginia. Under the direction of Benjamin Shoenberger, Wolf-Ekkehard Hindrichs starred as Peter Stossel alongside Angie Hicks as Alma Stossel.
- The Mercury Theater, Chicago
This is the first major production of "The Christmas Schooner" in the Chicago city limits since the Bailiwick Repertory Theatre in 2008, began previews on November 16, 2011 and opened on November 19, 2011. Directed by L. Walter Stearns, Executive Director of The Mercury Theater, musical directed by Eugene Dizon, and choreographed by Brenda Didier. The cast includes Cory Goodrich (Alma), Karl Sean Hamilton (Peter), Jim Sherman (Gus), Daniel Coonley (Karl, age 9), Mark Kosten (Karl, age 15), Elizabeth Haley (Martha), Kelly Anne Clark (Caitlin), Dina DiCostanzo (Olive/Rose), John Finley (Louis), Ronald Keaton (Oskar), Caroline Kobylarz (Enid), Benjamin Magnuson (Steve), Isabelle Roberts (Mary Claire), Thomas M. Shea (Rudy), and Ryan Westwood (Hans/Officer Wells).
Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune said, "So when I say that the newest production of the "Schooner" at the reborn Mercury Theater, is by far the best sung of that dozen I've seen, that's pretty much the whole deal. You may well have seen "Schooner" before, but you won't have heard it sung (or seen it acted) at this level. Critic's Choice." Mary Houlihan of the Chicago Sun-Times said, "L. Walter Stearns has given the musical new life in a production that pleases in every way. With this heartwarming production, "The Christmas Schooner" rejoins the ranks of holiday favorites."
Awards
- Winner of Chicago's 1996 "After Dark" Award for Outstanding New Work.
- Winner of Chicago's 1996 "After Dark" Award for Outstanding Performance: Candace L. Johnson as Alma Stossel
- Named a 1996 "Editor's Choice" by American Theatre Magazine.
- Received positive accolades from 2004 Cappies program.