Theatre
& Stage
reviews by SalsaChicago.com critic Al Bresloff
The
Christmas Schooner (thru Jan. 2, 2005) by
Al Bresloff
The
Christmas Schooner is a love story. It is
a love story of not just a man and his wife,
but of a family and an extended family and
then an even larger extended family. We are
able to watch this family attempt to balance
the traditions of the "old country" with the
traditions of their lives in America. This
is a heartwarming story that will bring a
tear to one's eyes. While there is sadness
in the events that we experience in this book
by Chicago Actor John Reeger and music and
lyrics by Julie Shannon, there is comedy as
well. These are very human characters- very
real people and a story that will live on
for generations. The story is about a Michigan
family, the Stossel's and Peter's desire to
bring Christmas trees from Michigan to Chicago
by crossing the icy Lake Michigan in the dead
of winter. The joy that is brought to those
in Chicago is so great, he feels the need
to do so each year. Tragedy does strike, but
after all is said and done, Peter's father,
son and wife, reload and take on his mission
(bringing joy to Chicago for years to come).
This is in fact the tenth anniversary of this
production., so this play is doing the same.
Director
David Zak has assembled (and in some cases,
reassembled) a fine cast of actors to bring
these characters to life. Peter Stossel is
strongly handled by Nate Johnson and Alma
his wife is deftly handled by Laura Sturm
(watch her face and you will see just how
powerful her performance is). Jim Sherman
handles the role of Gustav, Peter's father
with great vim and vigor. He is outstanding
as are the three sailors of Peter's crew handled
by Jeffrey A. Ward, Brandon Dahlquist and
Kenneth Z. Kendall (all three ,fine singers,
okay dancers but watch the way they tumble).
The role of Karl, Peter's son is handled by
Mitchell Hollis (at age 9) and Brendon Martin
(at age 15), who takes quite turn or two in
the sparkling choreography by Brenda Didier.Eric
Appleton's set is quite workable with a clever
creation of the Schooner in the storm. The
lighting (by Jared Moore), at times seemed
a little off, but the moods created were just
fine.
The
Christmas Schooner is a play that we should
all see and possibly make it an annual event
(you know, like "A Christmas Carol"). This
production will run through January 2nd at
the Bailiwick Arts Center located at 1229
West Belmont with performances as follows:
