On a sweltering summer morning in 1892, in Fall River Massachusetts, a prominent business man and his wife were brutally axed to death in their home. Their daughter, Lizzie Borden, was the prime suspect. Lizzie’s trial was a coast-to-coast media sensation, and her story has become an integral part of American criminal mythology. Lizzie: The Musical – the vibrant, rollicking, rock musical telling of this legendary crime will open Thinking Cap Theatre at the Vanguard’s 2017-2018 season on October 20th. The production will run through November 4th.

Lizzie: The Musical started out as a four-song theater/rock concert piece written by Tim Maner with songs by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer, and later expanded into a full musical with more music and orchestrations by newly added collaborator Alan Stevens Hewitt. It sprang from Maner and Cheslik-DeMeyer’s love of musicals, Americana, women-rockers, and late 80s queer politics.

Although the show’s music is primarily raucous, rock, and of the ‘Riot Girl’ genre, the play also offers a sensitive look at what could drive someone to (allegedly) commit such a heinous crime (Borden was acquitted of the murders after an all-male jury deliberated for just ninety minutes). It allows audiences to relate to the Borden sisters – Lizzie and Emma – in a way they might not have considered before. This emotional connection wouldn’t be possible without the four incredible performers that make up the cast – Anne Marie Olson as Lizzie Borden, Sabrina Gore as Emma Borden, Leah Sessa as Alice Russell, and Hanna Richter as Bridget Sullivan. It will be directed by Thinking Cap’s Nicole Stodard, with musical direction by Patrick Watkins.

Tickets for Lizzie are $40 ($20 for students with ID) and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased by calling 954-610-7263 or on line at http://www.thinkingcaptheatre.com . The Vanguard Sanctuary for the Arts is located at 1501 S. Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, 33301. There is free street parking surrounding the building and a metered municipal lot just south of The Vanguard on Andrews Ave..

Lizzie: The Musical
October 20 – November 5
Music by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt
Lyrics by Steven Cheslik-Demeyer and Tim Maner
Book by Tim Maner
Tickets: $40
For Tickets: 813-220-1546
www.thinkingcaptheatre.com
Performances:
Friday, October 20 – 8 pm
Saturday, October 21 – 3 pm & 8 pm
Sunday, October 22 – 5 pm
Friday, October 27 – 8 pm
Saturday, October 28 – 3 pm & 8 pm
Sunday, October 29 – 5 pm
Tuesday, October 31 – 8 pm (Costume encouraged!)
Wednesday, November 1 – 8 pm
Friday, November 3 – 8 pm
Saturday, November 4 – 8 pm
The Vanguard
1501 S. Andrews Avenue
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
www.vanguardarts.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkingCapTheatre/