MATINICUS

by Jenny Connell Davis

A girl. A rock. A lighthouse. Endless frigid ocean. A storm.
Inspired by the true story of Maine folk heroine Abigail Burgess, this is a story of community, isolation, and resilience in the face of forces far greater than ourselves.

A girl. A rock. A lighthouse. Endless frigid ocean. A storm.
Inspired by the true story of Maine folk heroine Abigail Burgess, this is a story of community, isolation, and resilience in the face of forces far greater than ourselves.

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MATINICUS

Recommended by

  • Katie Bender: MATINICUS

    A gorgeous deep dive into the life and times of Abigail Burgess, this oh-so produceable solo show reads like the best of old-timey tales, the ones you imagine told around the fire at night, filled with rich language, moments of comedy, fear, and wonder. Jenny Connell Davis has brought Abigail's story to life but also crafted a script that engages audiences with very present questions of survival, wonder and resilience. I highly recommend.

    A gorgeous deep dive into the life and times of Abigail Burgess, this oh-so produceable solo show reads like the best of old-timey tales, the ones you imagine told around the fire at night, filled with rich language, moments of comedy, fear, and wonder. Jenny Connell Davis has brought Abigail's story to life but also crafted a script that engages audiences with very present questions of survival, wonder and resilience. I highly recommend.

  • Melissa Whitworth: MATINICUS

    Fascinating read! Wasn’t sure what it would be like to spend an hour in the perspective of a lonely 15-year old girl in the 1850s but I enjoyed it very much. It made me want to know more about the woman that it’s based on and reminded me that the line between survival and death is so small but worth fighting for. It also made me want a peppermint! If you enjoyed the 1-woman Amish Project, this should be your next read!

    Fascinating read! Wasn’t sure what it would be like to spend an hour in the perspective of a lonely 15-year old girl in the 1850s but I enjoyed it very much. It made me want to know more about the woman that it’s based on and reminded me that the line between survival and death is so small but worth fighting for. It also made me want a peppermint! If you enjoyed the 1-woman Amish Project, this should be your next read!

Character Information

1 female, older than 16. Beyond that, there is a LOT of room for creativity.
  • Abigail
    A salty, sturdy teenager with a huge imagination, grit, and a mouth on her. This role requires a lot of the actress, in terms of language and ability to carve it out.
    Character Age
    15 in real life, but can be played by any actress north of that.
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female

Development History

  • Type Commission, Organization Chance Theater, Year 2022

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Chance Theater, Year 2023

Awards

  • Outstanding New Play
    Orange County Theater Guild
    Winner
    2024