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The Christmas Schooner
Book by John Reeger
Music & Lyrics by Julie Shannon
Directed by David Zak
At Bailiwick Repertory
1229 W. Belmont
Chicago, IL
Call 773-883-1090, tickets $20 -$30
Fridays at 7:30
Saturdays & Sundays at 2:30 PM
Additional Saturdays at 7:30 PM --Nov. 25 & Dec. 23
Also, Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 7:30 PM
Wednesday, Nov. 29 & 30, Dec. 6, 7,13 & 20 at 10:30 AM
Thursdays at 7:30 PM Dec. 21 & 28
Running time is 2 hours, 15 minutes with intermission
Through December 31, 2006
Now in its 12th and final season at Bailiwick Repertory, the Annual Voyage of The Molly Doone as The Christmas Schooner sets sail into our hearts and our souls. It is a magnificent triumph, a work of art and first class theatre. I like this show more each year.
The Christmas Schooner is a true story, based on the lives of sailors who braved the icy waters of Lake Michigan to bring Tannenbaums to German immigrants living in fire-ravaged Chicago.
The Christmas Schooner transforms this historical fact into a generational tale about the importance of family traditions and the challenges immigrants face in meeting a new country and culture. It personifies these issues in the microcosm of the Stossel family. Grandpa Stossel, still clings to his Germanic roots, while his forward-looking daughter-in-law Alma embraces the new world, refusing to allow German to be spoken in the house. Amid holiday festivities, a letter arrives from a cousin in Chicago who says how it's nearly impossible to get a Christmas tree in the city and how a generation of German Americans will grow up without experiencing that tradition.
Alma's husband, Capt. Peter Stossel, wrestles with his love for his family and his desire to bring light into the lives of others, even if it means risking his own life. Peter decides against his wife’s wishes to cut Christmas trees and bring them to Chicago running the risk of the treacherous Lake Michigan winds in late November.
This play could easily get maudlin, but director David Zak defuses that tendency with a crisp pace that seamlessly blends music, dance and drama with humor to create an intimate and dynamic sense of these people's world. Rebecca Hamlin's basic set featuring the warmly domestic Stossel kitchen, a bustling Chicago dock and the schooner tossing precariously in a tempest creates enough illusion to satisfy.
Bailiwick Repertory’s production highlights fine choral singing with melodious harmonies and moving tones. A.Scott Williams, as music director and accompanist, weaves through the score with fine piano work. The cast is delivers journeymen performances. Julie Shannon’s wonderful lyrics in songs like ‘We All Have Songs,’ ‘The Blessing of the Branch’ and the haunting ‘What Is It About the Water’ race right into you heart. John Reeger’s book has fine story elements and an understanding of conflict facing immigrants concerning their ethnic traditions and establishing themselves as Americans. The play is honest without being containing too much sentimentality.
Laura Strum, as Alma Stossel, was the personification of an Americanized immigrant wife. Sturm’s acting, comedic timing and fine singing anchors the show. She is brilliant. John Burns as the young Karl was irresistible and charming. Jim Sherman as the grandpa was lovable and charming. Zach Zube as Karl, age 15 demonstrated a fine voice and exuberence, explodes his dancing talent. Steven Marzolf captains the schooner as Peter Stossel. Marzolf has a rich voice. He has enough sincerity and charisma to be believable as the ship’s captain.
The ensemble sang their hearts out and the numerous children in the audience were thrilled with the show. I can’t think of a better way to introduce musical theatre to children than this show. Later when their taking their kids to see a musical, they’ll tell them about the time in 2006 when they first witnessed the schooner’s journey. Traditions get made with shows like The Christmas Schooner. Get your family to Bailiwick Repertory this holiday season before the Schooner sails away for good.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2006
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