The exciting news that “My Witch” – a one woman play about character actress Margaret Hamilton, will premier on Friday evening, October 29, through Sunday afternoon, October 31 at Meetinghouse Arts in Freeport was recently announced by Snowlion Repertory Company.
Hamilton is best known for her Witch role in the 1939 film, “The Wizard of Oz.” The film also starred luminaries such as Judy Garland, Ray Bolger and Bert Lahr. Originally a school teacher from Cleveland, Ohio who defied her father’s wishes that she not become an actress, Hamilton went on to reach the pinnacle in her profession. She was a frequent actress in summer theater around the state of Maine. She developed a passion for the coast of Maine because of that exposure. That’s how she and her offspring ended up in Maine as they are today.
Hamilton summered at Cape Island off Southport Island between 1962 and 1975. She, with the assistance of her only child “Ham” Meserve and his wife, Helen, purchased the Island with a mortgage of $10,000.back in 1961. Cape Island had one cottage on it that can be seen clearly from the Town Landing at Southport Island, near Boothbay Harbor.
The cottage on Cape Island had no electricity when it was purchased by Hamilton from a Peter Wells. A children’s book writer is supposed to have owned the cottage prior to Wells. It still, to this day, does not have electricity. Kerosene lamps are the preferred lighting used by Hamilton’s offspring. Ham and Helen Meserve, are retired on Southport Island overlooking Cape Island where they keep a watchful eye on the “Witches Island” as some have nicknamed the former summer retreat of Margaret Hamilton.. The couple lived mostly overseas where Ham worked in the banking industry. he once told this blogger. Hamilton died in 1984.
Back in 2018, Snowlion Repertory Co. hosted a fund-raising production of “My Witch” at the Portland Ballet Studio, then located at 517 Forest Avenue, Portland. Ham, 85, and Helen, 83, Meserve attended the one-night only play. It was based exclusively on the recollections of Hamilton’s son, Ham. This blogger had the good fortune to sit with them in the audience. However, Ham and Helen won’t be in attendance at any of the upcoming performances at the Meetinghouse Arts in Freeport because of a prior family commitment. Not to worry. Hamilton’s legacy has been left in the capable hands of the Snowlion Repertory Co.
Please visit www.snowlionrep.org for more information or call 207 – 315-6612. On Friday and Saturday, performances are at 7:30 pm. The Sunday matinee is at 3:00 pm with an audience talkback following the performance. Tickets are $23. COVID-19 restrictions are strictly enforced.
For more information on the Portland one-night fundraiser for “My Witch,” please visit post herein dated December 9, 2018.