The Christmas Schooner at Beverly Arts Center

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.