The Christmas Schooner

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Christmas Schooner promo photo

The Christmas Schooner is a musical written by John Reeger with music and lyrics by Julie Shannon.

Premiered at Bailiwick Repertory Theater 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.

Based on the true story of a Great Lakes Schooner captain who risks life and limb to transport fir trees from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Chicago's German immigrants during the late 19th century.

We all have songs,
We all have Stories,
We all have good times,
And times when thing go wrong.

And that's life,
the heartache and the glory
The heartbeat of life
is in our stories and our songs.

-- Julie Shannon's lyrics for the opening number of The Christmas Schooner

1 Performances
2 Awards
3 Reviews
4 See also
5 References

[edit] Performances

Bailiwick Repertory Theater

[edit] Awards

Winner of Chicago's 1996 "After Dark" Award for Outstanding New Work.
Named a 1996 "Editor's Choice" by American Theatre Magazine.

[edit] Reviews

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"...a loving, lovely book, sparked with humor and graced with tender sentiment.... The songs...are similarly infused with folk vigor, melodiously reflecting Old World tunes and tales."

-- Richard Christiansen, Chicago Tribune

"This historical heartwarmer- has a melodic score and stirring tale [told with] humor and heartbreak...a grand family tradition."

-- Lawrence Bommer

"Themes of sacrifice and compassion are woven throughout this refreshingly unsanctimonious musical. The Christmas Schooner is a rare holiday treasure.... An earnest cast belts out a delightful blend of humorous and tragic songs...."

-- Lucia Mauro, Chicago Sun-Times

This "touching slice of life [is] an inheritance to be treasured"

-- Mary Houlihan

"Shannon's music is clear, strong, delicate,... haunting [and] exuberant; it brings us on a journey that is as varied as the waters of Lake Michigan."

-- Katherine Burke, Backstage Magazine

"[A] marvelous musical...inspiring...a perfect blend of story and song. Julie Shannon's songs are beautiful, moving and melodious... There's also a good deal of humor. I absolutely recommend The Christmas Schooner to everybody!"

-- Roy Leonard, WGN Radio & TV (Nov. 23, 1996)

"John Reeger and Julie Shannon's glorious The Christmas Schooner ... is the best of the old and the new and the finest message about the true meaning of [the holiday] season one could hear. [The show] has a grandeur [and an] intense personal feel. Some of the choral work can only be described as breathtaking. What would Christmas be without The Christmas Schooner? Four stars." (Nov. 20, 1996) "A gorgeous gift that celebrates the spirit of the season and reminds us what the holidays are all about... An instant classic, one filled with so much love and honest emotion that it is impossible not to be swept up in its storytelling...an exquisite new work and a radiant production."

-- Jeff Rossen (1995), After Dark Awards

"One of the very best of the holiday offerings...tuneful score and warm-hearted humanity that wins over the most bitter of cynics."

-- Chris Jones, New City

"...a holiday hit, and for good reason. The...cast clearly enjoys performing Julie Shannon's bounty of melody and lyric.... This endearing show... [is] lovely family holiday theatre."

-- Sherman Kaplan, NewsRadio 78

"Wonderful! ... a big-hearted musical...very much recommended."

-- Jonathan Abarbanel, Chicago NPR affiliate WBEZ Radio

"The tone of THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER is overwhelmingly beautiful as it tells the true tales of the pioneers who brought Christmas trees to fire-ravaged Chicago late in the last century. However, audiences come back year after year for the powerful writing in the second act's hospital scene, where Reeger's book and Shannon's score work in perfect harmony to repair a damaged relationship between a strong daughter and her equally strong father-in-law. SCHOONER reminds us that no matter the hardships, we must remember our histories, honor our ancestors, and treasure the living."

-- AbsoluteArts.com

"One of the best of the alternative family shows in the Chicago area is "The Christmas Schooner." John Reeger, known primarily as an actor, has written a loving, lovely book, sparked with humor and graced with tender sentiment for the German immigrant families who are the hearty, folksy heroes of the story. The many songs, by Julie Shannon, are similarly infused with folk vigor, melodiously reflecting Old World tunes and tales."

-- Richard Christiansen, Chicago Tribune