In 1892, Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her (step)mother 40 whacks, or her uncle did, or her sister, or maybe the maid? Despite the improbability of the case being solved, everyone has a pet theory on what happened.
6th Street Playhouse presents its theory with its production of the 2009 rock opera Lizzie the Musical (book by Tim Maner, music by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt, lyrics by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Tim Maner). The show runs in its GK Hardt Theatre in Santa Rosa through Oct. 27.
Director Pat Nims has put together two separate casts and split the performances between them to give more opportunities to talented female-identifying actors. They are listed as the “Shattercane” cast (which I did not see) and the “Velvet Grass” cast, with Andee Thorpe as Bridget Sullivan, Nicole Stanley as Alice Russell, Megan Bartlett as Emma Borden and Malia Abayon as Lizzie.
Maner and Hewitt conceived this musical as a ’90s style Riot Grrrl rock show where the epitome of feminist self-determination is showcased by the brutal axe murder of an incestuous parent by their (maybe) closeted lesbian daughter.
All four actors have the ultra-rare combination of acting and rock chops. Every single one of those women holds the stage on their own, and yet, like every good band, they are in harmony—musically and in their storytelling and stage presence.
April George’s lighting design is hands down one of her best. Of special note was the moment Lizzie opened a book on poisons. The light isolation at that moment is a seemingly simple trick of stage magic that is anything but simple. The band (musical director Christina Howell) is amazing. They are so good that the playhouse offers earplugs for the less punk-acclimated audience members. Jonathen Blue’s costumes and choreography are rocking, both literally and figuratively. Even the props (Rachael Anderson, Ben Harper) are great.
Despite all that, there is the undeniable issue of this young woman’s story being told entirely from the male gaze. The play is even blocked so that the women gyrate and thrash in corsets and torn stockings, surrounded by the literal gaze of the men in the band. Add to that the script’s depiction of lesbianism being used as a cynical way to manipulate people, and it’s hard to justify this show being sold as a feminist solidarity play.
If one has ever wanted to see a well-done show with completely the wrong idea behind it, Lizzie the Musical might be the play.
‘Lizzie the Musical’ runs through Oct. 27 in the GK Hardt Theatre at 6th Street Playhouse, 52 W. 6th Street, Santa Rosa. Thurs.-Sat., 7:30pm; Sat.-Sun., 2pm. $29–$48. 707.523.4185. 6thstreeetplayhouse.com.
