Steadstyle Chicago
	November 2009 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff
	The Christmas Schooner Holiday traditions are something that mean a great deal to many families.  No matter the holiday, we recall special traditions from our youth and pass them on to our children.  In the theater, the Christmas season is one that is filled with traditions as well.  What would happen if The Goodman stopped running "A Christmas Carol" or some of the other theaters ceased to run whatever has become their holiday tradition?  For many years, the warm "The Christmas Schooner," written by local actor John Reeger with music and lyrics by Julie Shannon graced the stage at the Bailiwick Theatre on Belmont Avenue.  Audiences loved this beautiful story based on the German and Swiss immigrants who sailed ships from Michigan to bring Christmas trees to Chicago.  This was right after the Chicago fire, where most of the trees had been destroyed.  After 12 glorious years on Belmont, last year "The Christmas Schooner" played its final performance.  But as it turns out, not the final performance, just the final Bailiwick performance, as it has now moved down along the banks of Lake Michigan, the very lake that these trees traveled, and have found a new home in Munster Indiana at Theatre at The Center. For those of you who have shared the tradition of spending your holiday with the Stossel Family, you will only have a change of venue.  While Munster may seem far away, it is quite easy to get there and guess what?  Lots of free parking.  The theater is larger but still an intimate place to view a show that is this personal, and Jack Magaw's set is a work of art.  The stage rises to convert into a schooner right before our eyes.  This alone is worth the drive to Munster.  And each little detail is designed to make the flow of this 2 hour-fifteen minute holiday classic seem much shorter.  For those of you who have not experienced the magic of this story, you are now in a position to begin a new family tradition for you and yours.  Director Chuck Gessert has put together a top notch cast.  You will laugh and cry as you watch Peter and his family become the pioneers that made this country the greatest in the world.  Brandon Dahlquist truly gives meaning to every word that Reeger wrote in his interpretation of this man.  Cory Goodrich  is a powerful Alma and Peter's father is played by veteran Peter Kevoian.  One man played this role up north for many years and many people might compare his Gustav to that of Jim Sherman.  They are different actors and each added their own touch.  I found Kevoian to be perfection on stage in this role evoking all the emotion that this character can draw superbly.  Their son Karl is played by two actors as the years do go by.  At 9, he is played by the darling Daniel Coonley and at 15, by the energetic Mitchell Rose. I do not want to give away the entire story and it is best to have it unfold before your own eyes and to hear the beautiful music and lyrics that make this story so special.  But there were ships that did indeed carry Christmas trees from northern Michigan, through the icy waters and winds of Lake Michigan during November to make sure that the people of Chicago might be able to enjoy the holiday as they did back in their old countries.  It is also a love story between Alma and Peter and their dreams and passions.  There was indeed a chemistry with Goodrich and Dahlquist that was very real.  Over the years, Chicago theater audiences have watched Dahlquist mature and grow from an ensemble member to playing lead roles and he has done so with great ability. As you may know, I am a firm believer of the ensemble being an integral part of a production and this is a strong ensemble made up of young actors just starting out and some veterans who will teach the young actors some of the things they have learned over the years.  This ensemble is composed of Kevin Barthel, Jeff Diebold, Audrey Billings, Katrina Kuntz, Amy Brophy, Jennifer Buhrow, Kellie Cundiff, Liam Byrnes, Peter Vamvakas, John Lees, Michael Glazer, Adrian Fontanilla, Peter Durkin, the adorable Livvie Goble and the solid Ronald Keaton.  Over the years Keaton has shown that there are no limitations to his talent.  A total of 20 actors fill this stage with wonderful music, some fun dance numbers choreographed by Matt Rafferty and solid acting.  This production has added some new orchestrations by Larry Blank but the story remains the same.  A new family tradition for those who have never seen "The Christmas Schooner", a warm and funny look at the value of family, the importance of our traditions and the celebration of the memory of those pioneers who did what it took to make others happy, no matter the sacrifice. The musical direction by William A Underwood, with only his piano, a cello, percussionist, reeds and harp with two keyboards make it seem as if there is indeed a full orchestra behind the set.  And to complete the picture, we have lights by Guy Rhodes, Costumes by Sally Murray, Sound by Barry Funderburg, Wigs by Kevin Barthel and props by Libby Fandrei.  From the audience, one might not notice all the little finite details that these people have created and brought to the stage to complete the picture painted by the playwright (Reeger) and director (Gessert).  But from someone who has been on that stage, these little details are how they are carried off and could make the difference in the overall reaction by the audience.  I for one applaud the merits of the work done by each and every member of this company and if you don't put this on your "to do" list for the holidays, shame on you.  I am hopeful that they will extend it and I am pretty sure it will be back again, but try not to wait. "The Christmas Schooner" will continue through December 20, 2009 at The Theatre at The Center, located at 1040 Ridge Road in Munster.  Performances are Wednesday and Thursday afternoons at 2 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at  2 :30 p.m.  There will be some select Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 2:30 p.m.  Tickets range from $36-$40 (what a bargain!) and can be reserved by calling 219-836-3255 or www.tickets.com (1-800-511-1552).  To learn more about this wonderful theater just a short drive away from Chicago visit www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com.   About Alan Bresloff Alan Bresloff, once an actor himself, has been covering the Chicago Theater Scene since 1993, first as the Theater and Arts critic for LaRaza newspaper, then with Salsachicago.com and then onto Extra Newspaper and The Epoch Times.  He also writes for ElImparcial and TeleGuia.  His reviews can also be seen on www.theatreinchicago.com.  Alan does not call himself a "critic" but a "reviewer" as he tries to educate the reader about theater itself, what is a good value, what to look for in a play or musical and more.  "Exposure to theater is a very important part of a young person's life" he says. "Learning about the arts and culture is in fact learning about life" and he tries to explain more in his reviews than just if it is good or bad.  Even some of the poor productions have some value, he often says and he would love your feedback on shows that you have seen.  You can write him here or at albresloff@sbcglobal.net.