Fellner, Birnbaum, Arcilla and Cimma Will Rock Lizzie Borden in September

By Adam Hetrick
August 5, 2009

A new rock musical adaptation of Lizzie Borden, starring Jenny Fellner, will play a limited engagement at the Living Theatre beginning Sept. 10.

The latest incarnation of the infamous slaying has music by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt, additional music by Tim Maner, with lyrics by Cheslik-DeMeyer and Maner (who also penned the book).

Tim Maner directs the production that stars Jenny Fellner (Pal Joey, Mamma Mia!) as Lizzie Borden, Lisa Birnbaum (On Island) as Emma Borden, Marie-France Arcilla (Working) as Alice Russell and Carrie Cimma (Wedding Singer) as Bridget Sullivan.

The musical is based on the brutal 1892 murder of Andrew and Abby Borden, father and stepmother to 32-year-old Lizzie Borden, who was acquitted of murdering the two with a hatchet in their home.

According to press notes, "This dark, hard, campy, bloody, sexy, loud show offers a glimpse of these infamous events through the eyes of Lizzie, her older sister Emma, Lizzie’s close friend Alice, and the housemaid Bridget. Packed with kick-ass original songs, four fierce rocker divas, and two very bloody murders, our tale of repression and patricide sheds some light on why Lizzie Borden took that axe, and why we see her as a heroine for doing it."

Lizzie Borden has musical direction, orchestrations and arrangements by Alan Stevens Hewitt, with scenic design by Caleb Levengood, lighting design by Christian DeAngelis and costumes by Bobby Frederick Tilley II.

Lizzie Borden will run through Oct. 17. For tickets, priced $25, phone (212) 352-3101. The Living Theatre is located at 21 Clinton Street.

Visit LizzieBordentheShow.