[1] Based on the true story of the Rouse Simmons, a Great Lakes schooner whose captain risks life and limb to transport fir trees from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Chicago's German immigrants during the late 19th century.

Directed by David Zak with the following actors in the main roles: David G. Peryam as Peter Stossel, Candace L. Johnson as Alma Stossel, Roscoe Fraser as Gus, Anthony Cotton as Karl (age 9), Cecily Strong as Mary Claire[2] and Becca Daniels as Cousin Martha.

Other actors featured throughout the annual run of Christmas Schooner include: Amy Arbizzani (Martha, Alma), Tom Higgins (Gus), Ben Stoner (Steve), Jesse Kazemek (Oskar), Brendon Martin (Young Karl), Hilary Feldman (Enid), Gretchen Goodrich (Cousin Martha), David Vish (Oskar), JB Ward (Olive), Tom Shea (Rudy), Paul Mullen (Hans), Jendi Tarde (Enid), and Kevin Pease (Older Karl) A 2011 revival at the Mercury Theater Chicago began previews on November 16, 2011, and opened on November 19, 2011.

The cast includes Cory Goodrich (Alma), Karl Sean Hamilton (Peter), Jim Sherman (Gus), Daniel Coonley (Karl, age 9), Mark Kosten (Karl, age 15), Elizabeth Haley (Martha), Kelly Anne Clark (Caitlin), Dina DiCostanzo (Olive/Rose), John Finley (Louis), Ronald Keaton (Oskar), Caroline Kobylarz (Enid), Benjamin Magnuson (Steve), Isabelle Roberts (Mary Claire), Thomas M. Shea (Rudy), Catherine Stegemann (Lilli Mae), and Ryan Westwood (Hans/Officer Wells).

Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune said, "So when I say that the newest production of the "Schooner" at the reborn Mercury Theater, is by far the best sung of that dozen I've seen, that's pretty much the whole deal.