Matinicus: The Story of Abigail Burgess
Reviewed by G. Bruce Smith
Chance Theater
Through June 4
RECOMMENDED
A delightful and entertaining evening of theater, here is also an example of good old-fashioned storytelling in the vein of Anne of Green Gables.
This world premiere, one-woman show based on a true story, everything from the acting, directing and set, lighting and sound design all work together seamlessly to create a less-is-more, outstanding theatrical experience.
Set in coastal Maine in the mid-19th century, playwright Jenny Connell Davis’s Matinicus is the first-person account of the 15-year-old whose courage as a lighthouse keeper tending the Matinicus Rock Light in Maine has been documented in books, songs and even a radio drama. While the last part of the play takes us right into the dramatic heart of the storm and the threat to the Burgess family, the first three-quarters paints a vivid portrait of the spirited Abbie and members of her family; life in the fishing village of Rockland, Maine (pop. 800); Matinicus itself (more rock than island); and the mercurial weather and ocean of that coastal region.
Some of Abbie’s story focuses on the boredom and resentment she feels trapped on Matinicus for months on end (for example, she has read the three books brought with the family five times each — in her first three weeks on the “island”). These moments are when Abbie is being a typical mopey teenager. But then she can turn poetic and insightful when speaking of “missing the things I never noticed” about her village or the men who have died at sea. She speaks of her sadness over a baby whale carcass that washes ashore, an incident that — surprisingly — will play a key role later in the play.
But the boredom turns to pride when she is given the position of assistant lighthouse keeper by her father and proves to be a natural. And pride turns to bravery when she is left alone with her ailing mother and younger sisters — her father has returned to the mainland for supplies — to protect her family from a terrifying storm.
Her account of the storm is riveting, backed by simple lighting and sound that underline the danger of the storm. And it comes at a point where it is unknown if the father makes it safely to the mainland, raising the stakes even more.
As Abbie, Aubrey Savarino is splendid, fully inhabiting her character through her many moods and emotions. And on opening night, there was not even the tiniest stumble in her lines despite her demanding 80-minute performance.
Director Katie Chidester keeps Aubrey moving around the small stage in natural ways, with minimum use of props, which keeps the action flowing smoothly.
Cris Quick’s scenic and lighting design are beautifully simple — a spiral staircase center stage, flanked by an old wooden chair stage left and an old steamer trunk stage right, all bathed in a mostly blue light – that keep the focus on the story. And the sound design by Oscar Garcia hits all the right marks, whether it’s the raging storm or the waves lapping at the shore in calm weather.
Matinicus is not only a coming-of-age tale, an adventure story and a surprising slice of history, it can be seen as posing a suggestion to young girls as they search for role models: maybe they should look back 170 years for heroines like Abigail Burgess.
Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. Fri., 8 pm; Sat., 3 & 8 pm; Sun., 3 pm; through June 4. (888) 455-4212 or ChanceTheater.com. Running time, 80 minutes with no intermission.
