Historical musical promotes spirit of service and giving

If compassion and sacrifice are the foundation of the Christmas spirit, an upcoming show should provide a warm holiday glow for audiences.

CATCO and CATCO is Kids will present the holiday musical “The Christmas Schooner,” opening Friday at the Columbus Performing Arts Center.

The show, a seasonal tradition in Chicago, is suggested for all ages.

“It’s a poetic piece of storytelling theater told with beauty and simplicity,” said CATCO Associate Producing Director Joe Bishara, who co-directs with Kirsten Upchurch. “This is a heartwarming musical about what families go through in times of laughter and tears.”

The two-act show, by composer-lyricist Julie Shannon and author John Reeger, focuses on the Stossels, a fictionalized 1880s German family from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula whose Great Lakes schooner sails the length of Lake What:

Who: Where: Contact: 614-469-0939, www.catcoistheatre.org Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Thursday (preview); 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-15; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9 and Dec. 16; 11 a.m. Wednesday and Dec. 12 Tickets: $40 on Fridays and Saturdays, $35 Sundays, $30 Thursdays, $20 Wednesdays

Michigan amid risky winter weather to bring Christmas trees to homesick German immigrants in Chicago.

Broadly inspired by Great Lakes voyages of Christmastree ships in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the musical is based on the true story of the Rouse Simmons, a schooner captained for years by Herman E. Schuenemann, nicknamed “Captain Santa.”

“I was drawn to the story because it’s based on something that actually took place” Bishara said.

“The family faces danger because they braved the elements out of their compassion for other immigrant families.”

After its 1993 opening at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and its 1995 professional premiere in Chicago, the musical enjoyed a 12-year seasonal run and was produced all over the country, from California to Texas and the Midwest.

“Certainly, the story is told with broad strokes. But Shannon’s catchy, emotionally rich score ... is a sweet song suite that somehow draws me back each and every year ... to a specific time in a remarkably complicated place ... built mostly by the sweat of hardworking, ordinary people,” critic Chris Jones wrote in his review of a 2011 revival in The Chicago Tribune.

Bishara plays Peter Stossel, the ship’s captain.

“He’s compassionate and truly wants to do good for his family and fellow German immigrants,” Bishara said. “Peter struggles because he has a wife and family. He knows what he wants to do, but he’s not sure if it’s the right thing to do.”

Liz Wheeler, Bishara’s wife, plays Alma, Peter’s wife.

“She’s very strict but at the same time lighthearted and loving,” Wheeler said.

When Peter decides to risk the winter voyage, Alma expresses misgivings.

“She’s very scared. ... When she sees he’s made up his mind, she tells Peter that she’ll accept his decision to go, but just once,” Wheeler said. “This is a very touching musical about love, sacrifice and service.”

Newark actor Dennis Kohler plays Gustav Stossel, Peter’s father.

“He’s the peacekeeper who doesn’t like to see conflict between his son and daughter-in-law,” said Kohler, 69. “Gustav wonders who takes a boat out on the Great Lakes in the middle of winter ... but he tries to look on the lighter

“The Christmas Schooner” CATCO, CATCO Is Kids Columbus Performing Arts Center, Shedd Theatre, 549 Franklin Ave.