Julie Shannon News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Holiday perennials 'The Christmas Schooner,' 'Winter Pageant,' 'Christmas In Chicago' and more, plus 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,' 'Carrie' casting, Griffin's 'Bee,' two from Disney and NBC's 'The Sound Of Music!'

The much beloved Chicago tradition of the presentation of THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER returns to Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport, previewing November 27, opening Wednesday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m., and running through December 29, 2013. The whole family will enjoy this heart-warming musical story of the first Christmas tree ship and the family who risked their lives to fill Chicago with the Christmas spirit. Hailed as 'A sacred part of a Chicago Christmas!' by The Chicago Tribune, the production features a powerful, moving story, an exquisite score of original music and traditional holiday favorites, and a company of 25 actors and musicians. The production is helmed by the Jeff-award winning team of L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director) and Brenda Didier (Choreographer).

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Three theatrical radio plays called 'It's A Wonderful Life,' two Second City touring companies, Gilbert and Sullivan in rep, the Rockettes, Karen Mason in town, holiday films we fancy, Congo Square's 'Nativity' and a special holiday thought....

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER returns to the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport, Chicago), now through December 30, 2012. The whole family will enjoy this heart-warming story of the first Christmas tree ship and the family who risked their lives to fill Chicago with the Christmas spirit. This critically acclaimed production features a powerful, moving story, an exquisite score of original music and traditional holiday favorites, and a company of 25 actors and musicians. This year's production commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the historic voyage of the Christmas Tree Ship. Click below to watch video interviews with the cast and creative team on opening night!

"The Christmas Schooner" has been performed in the Chicago area every year, except for one, since 1995. And yet, I know for a fact that new theatergoers are discovering it all the time. Hence, it's a good thing that the Mercury Theater on Southport Avenue has mounted this story--based on a real slice of Chicago history--for the second year, and has already announced it for next year as well. It's one of the most popular musicals across the country to originate in Chicago, and we are proud to call it our own.

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER returns to the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport, Chicago), now through December 30, 2012. The whole family will enjoy this heart-warming story of the first Christmas tree ship and the family who risked their lives to fill Chicago with the Christmas spirit. This critically acclaimed production features a powerful, moving story, an exquisite score of original music and traditional holiday favorites, and a company of 25 actors and musicians. This year's production commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the historic voyage of the Christmas Tree Ship. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Les Miz' mania, a local 'Annie,' and holiday musicals galore: 'Schooner,' 'Jonathan Toomey,' 'We Three Lizas,' 'Gifts Of The Magi,' three 'Christmas Carols' and more!

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER returns to the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport, Chicago), from November 23 through December 30, 2012. The press opening will be on Thursday, November 29 at 7:30 p.m. and includes a tribute to the late Julie Shannon, who wrote the music and lyrics of the beloved musical.

Executive Director Walter Stearns announced today that he will launch a subscription series at the Mercury Theater including four full productions, which will transform the Mercury into the largest producer of musicals in the city of Chicago; employing almost one hundred theater professionals. Plans are to produce Rogers and Hammerstein's A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING which features songs such as 'Oh What a Beautiful Mornin', 'Some Enchanted Evening' and 'If I Loved You' in January. In March, the Mercury will stage a revival of BARNUM, the Cy Coleman circus musical centered around legendary showman P.T. Barnum, complete with professional circus performers. August brings the regional premiere of THE COLOR PURPLE, the Broadway hit based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel and subsequent Steven Spielberg film. The season concludes with the return voyage of the popular holiday musical,THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER. Single tickets are available for $29 and up, and 3 show subscription packages start as low as $80. Season packages and A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING tickets go on-sale November 16th.

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER returns to the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport, Chicago), from November 23 through December 30, 2012. The press opening will be on Thursday, November 29 at 7:30 p.m. and includes a tribute to the late Julie Shannon, who wrote the music and lyrics of the beloved musical. The whole family will enjoy this heart-warming story of the first Christmas tree ship and the family who risked their lives to fill Chicago with the Christmas spirit. This critically acclaimed production features a powerful, moving story, an exquisite score of original music and traditional holiday favorites, and a company of 25 actors and musicians. This year's production commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the historic voyage of the Christmas Tree Ship.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The eagerly-awaited 'Sunday In The Park...' and 'A Class Act,' two tiny venues a block apart debuting pocket musicals, 'Avenue Q' visits Bailiwick Chicago, a 'Carrie' parody, our beloved 'Christmas Schooner' and more....

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER returns to the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport, Chicago), from November 23 through December 30, 2012. The press opening will be on Wednesday, November 28 at 7:30 p.m. The whole family will enjoy this heart-warming story of the first Christmas tree ship and the family who risked their lives to fill Chicago with the Christmas spirit.

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER brings holiday cheer to the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport, Chicago), from November 16 through December 31, 2011.

Award-winning actor and musician Hershey Felder (George Gershwin Alone, Monsieur Chopin, Beethoven As I Knew Him) returns to Chicago with Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Two national tours in the Loop, two shows at the Royal George, three more Christmas musicals, 'Look, I Made A Hat,' that 'Variety' article about us, and more....

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER brings holiday cheer to the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport, Chicago), from November 16 through December 31, 2011.

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER brings holiday cheer to the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport, Chicago), from November 16 through December 31, 2011.

Award-winning actor and musician Hershey Felder (George Gershwin Alone, Monsieur Chopin, Beethoven As I Knew Him) returns to Chicago with Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Murder For Two,' two premieres at the Royal George, Team StarKid, 'Smoky Joe's Cafe,' Hollis Resnik's Christmas two-hander, looking ahead to 2012 and more!

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER brings holiday cheer to the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport, Chicago), from November 16 through December 31, 2011.