Review of "Maggie May" at Albany Civic Theater
by Katie Beltramo
Albany Civic Theater team up with Harbinger Theatre to co-produce "Maggie May," by Frances Poet, for its United States premiere. This drama-that's-funny follows a family's challenges as the mother struggles with dementia. When Maggie becomes confused or upset, her husband, Gordon, sings old favorite sons including Rod Stewart's "Maggie May." While not a production for the littles, this play will resonate with anyone who has been touched by dementia, and it's a great conversation-starter and empathy-builder with teens.
The "Maggie May" set is spare and dominated by the Post-It notes that she's placed all around her home in a desperate attempt to keep track of the everyday knowledge that's been slipping away. Throughout the play, projections of Post-It note scrawls help depict Maggie's thought process and help viewers to follow progress over the course of about a year as Maggie and her family and friends adjust to the reality of Maggie's dementia. At the opening of the play, Maggie and Gordon are celebrating their adult son, Michael's, birthday, and meeting his girlfriend, Claire. The cast also includes Jo, Maggie's good friend, who soon learns why Maggie's no longer so helpful at trivia night.
Seeing each individual come to terms with Maggie's illness and re-forging their relationships is the heart of the play. Maggie's enduring romance with Gordon and their propensity to break into song and dance is charming, Michael's petulant and adolescent reaction is frustrating (I'm still annoyed, honestly), Jo and Maggie make a hilarious duo, and Claire, as a newcomer to the family dynamic who has never known the "before" Maggie is a cheerful and welcome presence. Claire is also a huge Harry Potter fan, and the parallels between dementia and dementors are just one of many themes explored (but beware: there's a Book 4 spoiler, so if that's a concern, email me and I'll tell you how to avoid it!).
One thing I love best about going to the theatre with teenagers is that it can spark conversations that you might not have in everyday life. Here are a few questions to get you started:
- Gordon will often come up with a song to suit a situation, like "What's Going on?" -- do we have any "family songs" for particular occasions? If not, should we?
- At one point they talk about trying to pretend "everything's normal." Why do you think this particularly illness can make someone feel shame? Are there others like that?
- Maggie May recites parts of an old poem: "Monday's child is fair of face, Tuesday's child is full of grace, Wednesday's child is full of woe, Thursday's child has far to go, Friday's child is loving and giving, Saturday's child has to work for a living, but the child that is born in the Sabbath day is bright and bonny, good and gay." What day of the week were you (and other members of the family) born? Do you think the poem is true? (you can easily Google a date to find the day of the week)
- Early on Maggie is placing important notes on Post Its, and later the family talks about placing memories in the Potter-style pensieve. What would you put on Post It notes? What memories would you put into your pensieve?
- It's mentioned that the family doesn't "always have to talk, just being together is enough." Do you agree? Can you think of examples when you've found this to be true?
"Maggie May" is by turns funny and poignant, tackling a heartbreaking topic without breaking our hearts. Albany Civic Theater is, as always, a terrific setting, so small that every seat in the house is great.
"Maggie May" is playing at Albany Civic Theater in Albany (also produced by Harbinger Theatre) through Saturday, September 22nd. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 3 pm. For schedule and ticket information, call 518-462-1297 or visit albanycivictheater.org.
Photos by Andrew Elder of Best Frame Forward, provided by Albany Civic Theater.
© 2024 Katie Beltramo ~ katie@kidsoutandabout.com
Katie Beltramo, a mom of two, is communication director at Kids Out and About and blogs at Capital District Fun.