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Based on the true story of a schooner captain who risks life and limb to transport fir trees.

Saturday May 05, 2001.     By Elizabeth Montgomery

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Bailiwick Arts Center through January 4
For tickets, call (773) 883-1090.

John Reeger and Julie Shannon's musical, The Christmas Schooner is based on the true story of a Great Lakes schooner captain who risks life and limb to transport fir trees from Michigan's Upper Pennisula to Chicago's German immigrants, homesick for their beloved "Tannenbaums." The musical provides a welcome change from the usual holiday fare and is fast becoming a Chicago classic. Its focus on the importance of family and the simple traditions of childhood contrasts refreshingly with the rampant consumerism surrounding many of our current holiday celebrations.

The Christmas Schooner's opening anthem declares that "We all have songs; we all have stories. We all have good times, and times when things go wrong." Several of the cast members are positioned as "storytellers" who describe the show's historical context. This opening number foregrounds immediately the show's many strengths and its (largely forgiveable) weaknesses. On the plus side, this year's production, directed by Julia Lowe Walker, features a confident choral ensemble whose rousing execution fills the relatively small space. Richard and Jacqueline Penrod's set conveys the show's different locales -- Chicago, Manistique, on-board the schooner -- clearly and effectively demonstrates their interconnectedness.

The musical score is comfortingly traditional and well-executed by a strong cast. While individual performances were uniformly solid (understudy Eric Wallbruch did a fine job of stepping in the day I saw the show), the show's large ensemble numbers provided its most stirring moments.

Less satisfying are the musical's framing devices. The relationship of the "storytellers" to the townspeople of Manistique, Michigan and the city-dwellers of Chicago, IL, is not very well articulated, particularly given the double-casting of these roles. Similarly, excerpts from Peter Stossel's log punctuate the ship-board scenes in somewhat distracting fashion. The double-casting is particularly ambiguous given the lack of development of most of the "Chicago" characters (with the exception of cousin Martha, played by Amy Arbizzani). I would have liked to have seen more of a balance between the two locales.

The traditions of German-American immigrants motivate much of the action of The Christmas Schooner, and the depictions of 19th century life are humorous and poignant, albeit somewhat broadly-drawn. Tom Higgins as "Opa" (Grandpa) Gustav, Candace L. Johnson as Alma Stossel and David Peryam as Peter Stossel, and 11 year-old Ben Roy as young Karl Stossel do a fine job of conveying deep love between the family's three generations, despite their occasional disagreements. The Christmas Schooner's generally uplifting celebration of cultural continuity and the importance of giving to others only occasionally crosses over into preachiness.

Bailiwick clearly intends this show to be "family entertainment," and the first act shines with warmth and good humor that will appeal to all ages. Indeed, the Sunday matinee performance I attended was filled with families. Parents of small children be warned though -- The Christmas Schooner's second act counterpoints joy with sorrow and this show will make you cry as well as laugh. It may be a bit heavy for some children.