Early in the last century, sailors braved the icy waters of Lake Michigan to bring Christmas trees to German immigrants living in Chicago who were yearning for Christmas trees. Theatre at the Center's new production, "The Christmas Schooner," tells their story.

Captain Peter Stossel (Brandon Dahlquist) lives in Manistique, Mich. with his wife, Alma (Cory Goodrich), his 9 year-old son Karl (Daniel Coonley), and his father, Gustav (Peter Kevoian). Because his cousin Martha (Audrey Billings) yearns for a Christmas tree, he decides to sail down the lake with a load of trees for Chicago. When the schooner arrives at the Clark Street dock, a huge crowd is waiting for them and they sell every tree.

After several successful trips, bringing more and more trees, the 15 year-old Karl (Mitchell Rose) joins the crew and tragedy strikes.

A bittersweet story, "The Christmas Schooner" is Chicago's own holiday musical. Director Chuck Gessert had a vision -- his Broadway-quality cast brings it to life. As an audience member, you can feel the love Peter and Alma have for each other. Young Daniel Coonley has a beautiful, clear voice and incredible stage presence, while his older counterpart, Mitchell Rose, adds teen-age bluster and bravado. Originally done at Chicago's Bailiwick Theater with just a piano, the score has been re-written for an orchestra. The rustic set truly becomes a ship, wheel, rails and all, when TATC's thrust stage rises. Don't miss this show, it is special. "The Christmas Schooner" runs through Dec. 20. FYI: (219) 836-3255 or theatreatthecenter.com.

Over the weekend, 19 talented acts -- singers, dancers, musicians, plus a comedian, a poet and an air band -- competed in a brand new event, "PUC's Got Talent." I served as a judge, along with John Carpenter and Jennifer Kljajich, and it was quite possibly the hardest thing I've ever done. We chose the top three -- vocalists, Kevin Varner (aka the Black Godfather) and Yvonne Wood, and dancer, Deepthi Karanam, then the audience voted.

Vocalist Wood, 27, performing with perfect pitch and great stage presence, won the honors. A junior majoring in writing, Yvonne tutors at Purdue Calumet's Writing Center.

The opinions expressed are solely the writer's. Reach her at laughingcat_98@yahoo.com.