Chicago’s Beverly Arts Center will present a new production of the perennial Chicago holiday favorite musical THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER, for five performances only, from Thursday, December 8 through Sunday, December 11. The new production of the musical by Julie Shannon and John Reeger will be directed by David G. Zak, who directed its world premiere at the Bailiwick Arts Center in 1995 and has directed the popular musical many times since. Reuniting with Zak and THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER is Jeremy Ramey, the former Resident Music Director of Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, who will serve as Music Director as he did for a number of the musical’s Bailiwick productions. Casting and production team will be announced shortly.
THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER is based on the true story of the Rouse Simmons, a Great Lakes schooner whose captain during the late 19th century risked life and limb to transport fir trees from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Chicago's German immigrants, who missed the Christmas tradition in their home country of decorating evergreen trees. The treacherous voyage in the often-stormy December waters of Lake Michigan brought the Christmas Tree tradition to America. Following the musical’s 1995 premiere, it immediately became a Chicago holiday tradition. It was performed every year by Bailiwick Repertory from 1995 to 2008 and has enjoyed at least six holiday season productions in the area since then. Beverly Arts Center Artistic Director Kevin Pease (who was a member of the original 1995 cast) says, “We’re pleased to be bringing THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER back to Chicago. It’s our hope that the Beverly Arts Center will be its new home for many Christmas seasons to come.”
THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER is part of the Beverly Arts Center’s BOLD VOICES season - celebrating Chicago artists and stories. The season, the BAC’s first since the pandemic, will also include productions of Lorraine Hansberry’s A RAISIN IN THE SUN IN February and FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE, co-directed by E. Faye Butler and Felicia P. Fields, in June.
Tickets for THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER are $40 and are on sale now at https://thebeverlyartscenter.com/event/the-christmas-schooner/. The Beverly Arts Center is located at 2407 W. 111th Street, Chicago.
LISTING INFORMATION
THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER
Music and Lyrics by Julie Shannon, Book by John Reeger
Directed by David Zak
Music Direction by Jeremy Ramey
December 8 -11, 2022
Thursday – Saturday at 7:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm
Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W 111th Street, Chicago
Tickets $40.00, on sale soon at https://thebeverlyartscenter.com/event/the-christmas-schooner/
Chicago’s favorite holiday musical is based on the historic Great Lakes voyages of Christmas tree ships during the late 1800s and early 1900s. THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER tells the true story of a Michigan shipping captain who braves the deadly winter weather to bring Christmas trees to homesick German American families in turn-of-the-century Chicago. His voyages become a yearly tradition, despite his wife's misgivings – until a fateful voyage makes her realize the true importance of his mission.
BIOS
David G. Zak (Director) has won seven Jeff Awards in Chicago, including four for Directing (ANIMAL FARM, DR. SEX, PARADE, POPE JOAN), two for writing (THE HIROSHIMA PROJECT, THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO) and a special Jeff for “Fostering Diversity in Chicago Theater.” In his 27-year stint as Artistic Director of Bailiwick Repertory, he directed the world premiere production of THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER, the US premieres of Sir Peter Hall’s ANIMAL FARM and JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA, and many original works including the political dramas THE HIROSHIMA PROJECT and SIN: A CARDINAL DEPOSED. He has directed in London (THE IRISH CURSE), Seoul (DOLLHOUSE, FANTA STICK, THE GHOST’S COOKBOOK), Dublin (OH, HOLY ALLEN GINSBERG, AT THE FLASH), Boston (SIN: A CARDINAL DEPOSED), Los Angeles (DR. SEX, AT THE FLASH) and New York (MARLOWE and POSEIDON: AN UPSIDE-DOWN MUSICAL). His productions of the American Premieres of JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA, Sir Peter Hall’s ANIMAL FARM, PARADE, POPE JOAN, and Dennis DeYoung’s HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME all won the Jeff Award for best musical. His most recent Chicago productions have included: THE KRAMER PROJECT, THE BOY FROM OZ, Terrence McNally’s SOME MEN, AFTERGLOW, PRISCILLA: QUEEN OF THE DESERT, THE BOOK OF MERMAN, HIS GREATN$ESS, and UNDER THE RAINBOW FLAG. He founded PrideArts in 2010, and he is a resident director and educator for Open Space Arts. He was inducted into Chicago’s Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2013.
Jeremy Ramey (Music Director) is a concert pianist, conductor and music director based in Chicago. As Resident Music Director for Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, Jeremy won six Jeff Awards out of ten nominations for his work on THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, SWEENEY TODD, THE MOST HAPPY FELLA, RENT, SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ, and THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA. He was additionally nominated for his work on the 2008 production of THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER with Bailiwick Repertory Theatre. In 2016, he won his second Broadway World Award for Music Direction for his work on BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS with the production company Hell in a Handbag. He received his training in piano performance and music at Rhodes College, Northwestern University, and The Juilliard School of Music.
Julie Shannon, (Composer, Lyricist) is a Chicago songwriter, pianist and singer. In addition to their award-winning musicals, THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER and STONES, Shannon and John Reeger have collaborated on a commissioned new musical about Cesar Chavez and the farmworkers' struggle for justice. Shannon won the 1999 "A Parent's Choice Award" for her CD: LET'S FILL UP TEH HOUSE WITH STORIES AND SONGS with storyteller Rives Collins.
John Reeger (Book) is a Chicago actor and playwright. Reeger and collaborator, Julie Shannon received the 1996 Chicago After Dark Award for outstanding new work when THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER premiered at Bailiwick Repertory Theater. A six-year continuing seasonal run and a CD have followed, as have numerous productions in the Midwest, Texas and California.
ABOUT THE BEVERLY ARTS CENTER
The Beverly Arts Center is a vibrant and multifaceted not-for-profit organization serving the Chicago metro area with high-quality programs in dance, visual arts, music, film and theater. The 40,000 square foot space houses a 400-seat theatre, art gallery, exhibition spaces, music and dance studios, art classrooms and event rental spaces including a courtyard and light-filled atrium. Founded in 1967 and located in Chicago’s historic Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood, the BAC is also home to an extensive community outreach program.