Southwestern Michigan College Director of Theatre Paul Mow directs “The Christmas Schooner” Dec. 19-21 for Twin City Players at Lake Michigan College Mendel Center.

Mow invites the community to attend Sunday’s free open dress rehearsal at 3 p.m. in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building on the Dowagiac campus. Doors open at 2:30.

The holiday musical written by John Reeger, with music and lyrics by Julie Shannon, is based on the true story of Great Lakes shipping captain Rouse Simmons.

Act 1 opens on Christmas Eve 1881 in the Stossel living room in Manistique.

Christmas trees are delivered in deadly winter weather from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to homesick German American families in turn-of-the-century Chicago.

This voyage becomes an annual tradition, despite the captain’s wife’s misgivings, until a fateful voyage makes her realize the true importance of the mission.

Assisting Mow are Assistant Director Danny Ferenzci, Music Director Marcus Roll, Choreographer Liz Coulston, Stage Manager Charlene Krikke, Assistant Stage Manager Aaron Rennhack, Set Designer John Taylor, Rehearsal Accompanist Beth Gray-Roll, Set Painter Cindy Jakeway and several current and former SMC students.

The show runs Friday, Dec. 19, and Saturday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m.

This is the first time the Twin City Players brings one of its productions to the LMC Mendel Center Mainstage.

Mow’s cast includes Meagan Francis as Alma, Karol Garrison as Peter, Will Turner as Karl (age 9), Jason Cope as Karl (age 15)/Young Man, John Berecz as Gustav, Danny Firenczi as Rudy/Man 2, Bill Klein as Oskar, John Taylor as Steve, Bruno Rodrigues as Hans, Isaac James as Malachi/Man 1; Ed Brunner as Officer Wells/Man 4; Josh Boger as Man 3; Erin Turner as Enid/Woman 1, Kate Hill as Martha; Kimberly Hunt as Olive/Rose/Woman 3; Lauren Klein as Woman 2; Cindy Jakeway as Kate; and Katie Preston as Mary Claire Daugherty/Young Girl.

An ensemble of women and children includes Mary Alice Brunner, Dave Goodyear, Nancy Goodyear, Kimberly Hunt, Cindy Jakeway, Micah Johnson, Lauren Klein, Farrah McNeil, Kacie Mercer, Jenny Miner, Sophia Newland, Maddie Ostenson, Debi Robertson, Joel Smiedendorf and Stacy Solanics.

Crew members also include: John Taylor, William Klein, Bob Myers, Josh Boger, Jason Cope, Jessica Blank, Eliza Carpenter, Charlie Krikke, Phil Patnaude, Aaron Rennhack and Isaac James, set builders; Barbara Klein, Julie Smiy and Donna Metz, costumes; and Beth Gray-Roll (keyboard), Eric Oliphant (percussion), Ellen Schrock (cello) Tera Woolley (flute), Bradley Coleman (clarinet) and Meg Rodgers (harp), orchestra.

“The Christmas Schooner” received the 1996 Chicago After Dark Award for outstanding new work.

Notable songs include “We All Have Songs,” “Pass It On,” “What is it About the Water?,” “Winterfest Polka,” “Questions” and “Hardwater Sailors.”

Reserved seats Dec. 19-21 cost $15 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under.

Tickets are available through either the TCP box office or the LMC Mendel Center Mainstage box office.