The Christmas Schooner
"[A] marvelous musical...inspiring...a perfect blend of story and song. Julie Shannon's songs are beautiful, moving and melodious... There's also a good deal of humor. I absolutely recommend The Christmas Schooner to everybody!" (Nov. 23, 1996) Roy Leonard, WGN Radio & TV"...a loving, lovely book, sparked with humor and graced with tender sentiment... The songs...are similarly infused with folk vigor, melodiously reflecting Old World tunes and tales." Chicago Tribune
"This historical heartwarmer has a melodic score and stirring tale [told with] humor and heartbreak...a grand family tradition." Lawrence Bommer
"A gorgeous gift that celebrates the spirit of the season and reminds us what the holidays are all about... An instant classic, one filled with so much love and honest emotion that it is impossible not to be swept up in its storytelling...an exquisite new work and a radiant production" After Dark Awards (1995)
"Themes of sacrifice and compassion are woven throughout this refreshingly unsanctimonious musical. The Christmas Schooner is a rare holiday treasure.... An earnest cast belts out a delightful blend of humorous and tragic songs." Chicago Sun-Times
"This touching slice of life [is] an inheritance to be treasured." Mary Houlihan
"Shannon's music is clear, strong, delicate,... haunting [and] exuberant; it brings us on a journey that is as varied as the waters of Lake Michigan." Backstage Magazine
"John Reeger and Julie Shannon's glorious The Christmas Schooner ... is the best of the old and the new and the finest message about the true meaning of [the holiday] season one could hear. [The show] has a grandeur [and an] intense personal feel. Some of the choral work can only be described as breathtaking. What would Christmas be without The Christmas Schooner? Four stars." After Dark Awards (Nov. 20, 1996)
"One of the very best of the holiday offerings...tuneful score and warm-hearted humanity that wins over the most bitter of cynics" New City
"...a holiday hit, and for good reason. The...cast clearly enjoys performing Julie Shannon's bounty of melody and lyric.... This endearing show... [is] lovely family holiday theatre." NewsRadio 78
"Wonderful! ... a big-hearted musical...very much recommended" WBEZ Radio
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