The tale of one Maine girl’s heroic efforts to keep lighthouse lamps burning during a horrific storm in the mid-19th century is marvelously and magically brought to life by Penobscot Theatre Company in “Matinicus: A Lighthouse Play” at the Bangor Opera House.
Abigail Burgess is vividly portrayed by West Coast actor Katie Peabody in this one-woman show written by Jenny Connell Davis and directed by Julie Arnold Lisnet.
Peabody’s charming performance partnered with stunning technical work draws the audience into the teenager’s harrowing story of survival on Matinicus Rock. Burgess is considered a folk hero in Maine and in 1998 the U.S. Coast Guard named a cutter after her that still is stationed in Rockland.
Nicknamed Abbie, Burgess was born in 1839, the fourth of nine children born to Samuel and Thankful Burgess. In 1853, her father moved the family from Rockland to Matinicus Rock where he became the lighthouse keeper. The granite island is located 25 miles off the mainland and several miles from Matinicus Island.
In January 1856, a supply ship failed to arrive with food and oil to keep the lighthouse lamps burning. Samuel Burgess decided he must go to the mainland for provisions, leaving 16-year-old Abbie in charge.
Shortly after he left, a nor’easter rolled in and swept their house away forcing Abbie, her sisters, their ill mother and their chickens to move into one of the two lighthouse towers. The family lived on a cup of cornmeal mush and one egg a day each for almost a month before Samuel Burgess was able to return with supplies.
Burgess’ story was published in 1985 by writers Connie and Peter Roop, with illustrations by Peter Hanson, in the children’s book “Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie.” Two years later, it was featured on the popular PBS literacy program “Reading Rainbow” and her heroic story reached an audience outside Maine.
Texas-based playwright Davis, a Maine native, found Burgess’ story intriguing and began writing “Matinicus” during the pandemic lockdown. It premiered in 2022 at the Chance Theater in Anaheim, California.
Lisnet, who directed the charming “Crimes of the Heart” in 2023 and the fabulous “Becoming Dr. Ruth” in 2022, perfectly paces “Matinicus,” a 90-minute one-act. The director welcomes the audience into Abbie’s world as she speaks directly to the audience, sharing school rivalries and family conflicts with insightful humor.
Peabody perfectly captures the adolescent Abbie. She is almost constantly in motion with teenage angst and energy. The actor relentlessly reels the audience into Abbie’s world as her family’s tranquility and safety is upended. By the time the storm arrives, every theatergoer is emotionally gripped on Matinicus Rock with her.
It is one of the most mesmerizing performances under the tenure of Artistic Director Jonathan Berry, who on Tuesday announced he is returning to Chicago at the end of this season.
One of the many reasons “Matinicus” is so compelling is because of the designers working behind the scenes. The set design by Gwen Elise Higgins, the lighting design by JP Sedlock, the sound design by Neil E Graham and the costume design by Kevin Jacob Koski realistically recreates Matinicus Rock and Abbie’s life there on stage. Theatergoers can see and feel the sea roaring onto the tiny island. The technical work is stunning and blends seamlessly with the playwright’s and director’s visions in telling Burgess’ story.
The spring slot in Penobscot Theatre’s recent seasons has been set aside for a Maine-themed play. “Matinicus” is the best of the bunch and not to be missed.
Penobscot Theatre Company’s production of “Matinicus: A Lighthouse Play” will be performed through April 6 at the Bangor Opera House, 131 Main St. For information, call 207-942-3333 or visit penobscottheatre.org.