Roles
George Pollard
The night watchman of Nantucket and former Captain of the Essex and after of the Two Brothers, both of which were whaling ships that sunk under Pollard’s command. A survivor driven by fear and guilt, anxiety, and a deep need to repair what cannot be fixed.
Owen Chase
Survivor of the Essex, having served as First Mate to Pollard. Took charge of one of three small whaling boats to survive. Victim of on-going nightmares and headaches. Prefers to be alone on the anniversary of the sinking of the Essex but cannot be alone this night. Lost his first wife while he was at sea, and has never recovered, despite his “roving” with ladies-of-the-night around the world. Never able to replace his love, he is a living embodiment of loss and longing.
Charles Ramsdell
An older, scarred man. Bitter and angry at the hand life has dealt him. He was on the up and up before he fell victim to Pollard’s weak leadership and captaincy. The real man responsible for the murder sacrifice of Owen Coffin, though he has always put that onus on Pollard as the captain, but it was Ramsdell who pushed for the lottery, and Ramsdell is the one who loaded and fired the gun and did the initial slaughtering of Coffin. But he has always laid the responsibility at Pollard’s feet. He remains bitter about it, eating him up inside for the past 25 years. He is rotten, spiteful, and angry, and always hungry.
Owen Coffin (a ghost)
A spirit of a 17-year-old boy. Driven by vengeance and the future he was never given. His anger is directed at Pollard, who had made a promise to Coffin’s mother that he would protect her boy and bring him home. “You were supposed to protect me!”
Isacc Cole (a ghost)
A victim of the tragedy of the Essex. Died of hunger and was then slaughtered and eaten by the men of Chase’s whaleboat. Represents a profound sadness, not bitter or angry, yet hungry. Sad and hungry. Is he looking for justice, or just to be remembered? Wants to be remembered, not as a meal, but as a man, for his life, courage, and stalwart companionship.
The Gray Lady (a ghost, and more)
A ghost, a living woman, a memory. Brought to life by the last vestiges of love and hope of the men, she can twist, modify, the music. Spectral image driven by the need for reconnection, for love, for community. Represents the future and the way out, and a threat to men who are mired in their own past, seeing no hope and no exit from their condemned fates.
