HARTFORD—TheaterWorks Hartford opens its 38th season this Friday with the grand premiere of the rock musical, “Lizzie”, Friday night.
The contemporary performance—composed by Steven Cheslik-deMeyer, Tim Maner, and Alan Stevens Hewitt—re-tells the infamous case of Lizzie Borden, exploring the 19th-century ax murderer’s controversial acquittal through a searing rock score.
“Coming from Massachusetts, the Lizzie Borden story is a familiar part of my childhood,” TheaterWorks Hartford Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero shared. “I’ve wanted to tell some version of it on stage for years. After seeing the Broadway tour of Six recently, I immediately thought again of Lizzie, a musical project that was brought to me years ago. And I knew, this is the Lizzie story for TheaterWorks Hartford and now is the moment to tell it.”
“Lizzie” runs from September 19 through October 22 at TheaterWorks Hartford’s historical property at 233 Pearl Street.
Directed by Lainie Sakakura with music direction by Erika R. Gamez, this modern iteration of the Lizzie Borden story features an all-female cast. Sydney Shepherd (Lizzie Borden), Courtney Bassett (Emma Borden), Kim Onah (Alice Russell), and Nora Schell (Bridget Sullivan) will all be making their TheaterWorks Hartford debuts.
On October 22, TheaterWorks Hartford will present a special one-night-only concert with BANDITS ON THE RUN—the musical trio includes Adrian Enscoe, Regina Strayhorn, and Sydney Shepherd, who plays Lizzie Borden.
“Formed upon a chance encounter while busking in the subways of New York City, the Brooklyn based outfit has gone on to receive accolades from NPR Music’s All Songs Considered, American Songwriter, NPR Weekend Edition, and the Johnny Mercer SongwritersProject,” TheaterWorks Hartford wrote in a press release.
Learn more about the performance and purchase tickets at twhartford.org or by calling 860-527-7838. The show runs for 90 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.
Publisher’s Notes: CT Latino News is proud to partner with TheaterWorks Hartford in supporting the state’s Arts and Culture.
