Lizzie: A Killer Rock Musical
This Halloween season Lees-McRae Theatre Arts presents, “Lizzie,” a killer rock musical that dives into the famous true crime case of Lizzie Borden.
Borden was tried and acquitted for the axe murders of her father and stepmother in Massachusetts in 1892, and the musical offers a new perspective on her infamous life as told through the lens of an exciting rock music score. The show’s music is inspired by rock legends Queen, Elvis Presley, Nirvana and Radiohead.
The musical is rated R for strong language and follows four characters: Lizzie, her sister Emma Borden, their maid Bridget Sullivan, and a neighbor and close friend of Lizzie, Alice Russell. Themes of rage and betrayal propel the story as it traces these four women from before the murders, through the events leading up to it, and then through Lizzie’s trial.
“It’s a very challenging role. It’s hard because she is a very complex character,” says senior Theatre Arts major Abby Austin, who portrays Lizzie. “She’s also a real historical figure, and there’s always this challenge of playing real people but still finding ways to make them your own.”
The show is tied to its historical setting with real excerpts from the trial and brought into the modern day via rock music.
There will be three evening performances of “Lizzie” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, Thursday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Nov. 1. There will also be a matinee performance at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31.
All performances will be in Hayes Auditorium. Tickets for all performances are available here.