The Christmas Tree Ship – Bird-in-Hand Stage

A ship. A storm. And a Christmas tale of heroic proportions. This heart-warming inspirational musical is based on the true story of Herman Schuenemann, known as Captain Santa, who goes down with his ship on a storm in Lake Michigan – leaving his widow to raise their daughters, run the family shipping business and continue her husband’s mission of giving away thousands of Christmas trees to the less fortunate of Chicago. Can she take on the doubters and naysayers, or will she break under the pressures of widowhood, judgmental people and the restrictive customs of the day? What Barbara Schuenemann and her daughter Elsie do to resurrect Captain Santa’s legacy is nothing short of a holiday miracle.

Presented in partnership with Blue Gate Musicals, this dramatic musical is brought to life by a talented cast of professionals – including several audience favorites and veterans of the Bird-in-Hand Stage.

Don’t miss this epic tale that will remind us all of the importance of tradition, kindness and the joy of Christmas.