Matinicus The Story of Abigail Burgess
Awards and Recognition
- World Premiere
- Chance Commission
- Based on a True Story
- OCTG Recommended
Reviewer Quotes
OC Register
Stage Raw
“ With nuance and unflagging commitment to character and script, Ms. Saverino’s performance is charming, emotionally charged, and engaging ”
Show Mag
On the Fyda-Mar Stage…
For over 160 years, the courage of teenager Abigail Burgess has inspired books, songs, and even the US Coast Guard to name a ship after her. Now, for the first time, see her remarkable story live on stage. When young Abbie moved to Matinicus Rock in the mid-19th century with her lighthouse keeper father and their family, her biggest concern was boredom. However, when the winds changed, Abbie found herself thrust into the seemingly impossible position of protecting her family — and some chickens — from a violent storm while keeping the lights brightly burning for any passing ship to miss the perilous shores. Brilliantly brought to life by OCTG Theatre Award-nominated actress, Aubrey Saverino (last season’s Cry It Out), this tale of humor and heroism highlights how far some will go to keep their lights shining and demonstrates how small actions can make a big difference.
See the courageous story of Abigail Burgess come to life that inspired …
» Keep The Lights Burning, Abbie (book featured on Reading Rainbow)
» Abbie, The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter (radio drama)
» “Lighthouse Keeper” (folk song by Neptune’s Car)
» Cutter Abbie Burgess (175’ Keeper-Class buoy tender in US Coast Guard)
» More books — Abbie Against The Storm; The Stormy Adventure of Abbie Burgess, Lighthouse Keeper; Abbie Burgess: Lighthouse Heroine; among others
» And much, much more!
Visit Abbie Burgess’ Wikipedia Page
Nominated for 6 OCTG Theatre AwardsOutstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Direction of a Play (Katie Chidester), Outstanding Lead Performance in Play (Aubrey Saverino), Outstanding Lighting Design (Cris Quick), Outstanding Sound Design (Oscar Garcia), Outstanding New Work (Jenny Connell Davis)
**OCTG RECOMMENDED**
“The actor-director duo achieves a steady, ascending through-line arc of exposition building with Davis’ script so that it’s more that than mere man (um, woman) vs. nature, but the full flowering of a seemingly constricted life into heroism.”
OC Register“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.”
Stage Raw“There are a lot of ways to learn about the heroism of Abigail Burgess, but your first stop should be at the Chance Theater.”
Orange Curtain Review“Aubrey’s magnetic solo performance was more than a well thought out journey of volume, texture and intensity. It was larger than life.”
The Show Report“What’s more, the timing and pacing of this not-so-weathered tale about of a once-in-a-century storm is greatly aided by the indispensable sound design of Oscar Garcia, scenic/lighting and period perfect costume designs by Cris Quick, as well as the historic accuracy ensured by the meticulous dramaturgy credited to Jenny Jacobs.”
Show Mag
Executive ProducerRachelle Menaker & Eddie Schuller
Season ProducersBette & Wylie Aitken
Associate Season Producer The Family of Mary Kay Fyda-Mar
Community Partner: Girls, Inc.
Official Show Photos
Design Preview Party
SPECIAL TEENS COMMUNITY NIGHT |
| Friday, May 19, 7:30-11 p.m. |
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| Are you part of a Teens Community Organization? Contact us at [email protected] for information on special discounts and fundraising opportunities. |
TRAILER
ACTOR INTERVIEW
Venue Bette Aitken theater arts Center
- Full-Service Bar
- Free Parking
- Conveniently Located
See the show? Share your experience with us...
At a Glance
- Approximate Running Time:
- 1 hour, 30 minutes with no intermissions
- Special Notes:
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- Post-show discussion after each performance
- Join us for Opening Night as a Platinum Member.
- Babes in arms and children under 4 are not permitted.
- 30% off for groups of 10 or more.
- Pay-What-You-Can Previews (May 5-7)
- This performance includes flashing lights
Amazing
For a show that is essentially a 90-minute monologue to work, you need a masterful performance by the lead. Aubrey Saverino explodes on this stage — using her voice and movement to makes waves appear, storms surge and recede, villages appear and vanish. The result is a triumphant performance that gives body to an active narrative, spanning entire periods of the young adult life cycle and conveying a powerful sense of struggle against hardship resulting in evocative character transformation.
Aubrey Saverino gave an unforgettable performance. One of the best, if not the best, I have ever seen.
I love the fact that Chance Theater commissioned this play, which is beautifully written and adeptly acted. It’s a story that helps us viewers to imagine what it was like to live along the eastern shoreline in Maine in simpler times and the strength of character it took not only to endure its hardships but also to find meaning in them. The relationships that Abigail developed with everything in her limited environment is breathtaking. Aubrey Saverino brings Abigail to life in a myriad of ways keeping my attention rapt throughout her 90-minute solo performance. As others have commented, it is a tour de force!
What an incredible performance by Aubrey Serevino in this one-person play. I was in awe of her shifts in characterizations. I was completely pulled in and compelled by the story. I have posted on Facebook that this a “Must See!”.
Great choice. Love getting to see a World Premiere. It was a beautiful story, excellently told by the writer and by the actor.
This is one of the best shows for a long time. I loved it. Saw it twice.
I thoroughly enjoyed this performance.
The performance was outstanding! I thought the script was outstanding. Kudos to the author, Jenny Connell Davis who, I believe, was sitting behind me. And special congratulations to Aubrey Saverino, who played Abigail perfectly. No one could have done better. And I got to see a world premier. Whoo-hoo!