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- calendar_today November 6, 2026
The Infamous Lizzie Borden Story Returns to the Stage
The tale of Lizzie Borden has loomed large in American crime lore since 1892, when Andrew and Abby Borden were found brutally murdered in their Massachusetts home. The story and its haunting nursery rhyme have persisted in popular culture, despite the case never being officially solved. Public fascination intensified as suspicion fell upon their 32-year-old daughter, Lizzie, culminating in a sensational trial that ended with her acquittal. The lack of concrete evidence—no blood, murder weapon, or witnesses—meant the jury could not find her guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This frenzy set a precedent for today’s true-crime media landscape.
'LIZZIE: The Musical'—A Punk Rock Reimagining
This notorious story takes on new life at Oregon Contemporary Theatre (OCT), which is presenting its final weekend of LIZZIE: The Musical from November 5 through November 8. Directed by Brian Haimbach, this unique production offers an all-female, punk rock adaptation that centers women’s voices in the narrative. The show brings together Lizzie and three other women connected to The House of Borden, including rumored girlfriend Alice. This marks the first time OCT has revived a show with the entire cast and production team from its original Halloween 2025 run.
Examining True Crime and Female Perspectives
LIZZIE: The Musical invites audiences to reflect on the ethics of dramatizing true crime stories, especially those where the facts are ambiguous. As the play acknowledges, the media of 1892 crafted its own versions of the truth, a tradition the musical playfully continues. This production leans into themes of female rage, offering a space for women to express emotions rarely permitted onstage—anger, frustration, grief, and solidarity. The show’s all-woman cast embraces these themes with both fervor and elegance, depicting a variety of responses to trauma and suspicion.
An All-Female Cast Delivers Intensity and Nuance
The quartet—Abigail Moon (Lizzie), Jocelyn Kerr (Bridget, the housemaid), Kathleen Borelli (Emma Borden, Lizzie’s sister), and Kelly Finch (Alice)—deliver powerful performances. The Borden parents, despite being central to the historical event, do not appear on stage, emphasizing the focus on the women’s experience. Moon shines in her portrayal of Lizzie, oscillating between emotional vulnerability and hardened resolve, all while carrying the show’s musical weight through expressive vocals. Kerr, Borelli, and Finch each have standout moments, contributing haunting, lively, and moral elements to the narrative.
Music, Set, and Production Design
The musical score fluctuates between emotionally charged ballads and raucous punk rock numbers, accompanied live by Orchestra Next. The minimal set, designed by Amy Dunn, and Laura Tuffli’s period-meets-modern costumes, reinforce the production’s shift between Victorian repression and contemporary catharsis. The chemistry and sisterhood among the cast members enhances the show's emotional force, particularly during ensemble scenes portraying the stress of enduring tragedy under intense public scrutiny.
Performance Details and Ticket Information
LIZZIE: The Musical runs at Oregon Contemporary Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5–7 and 2 p.m. Nov. 8. Tickets range from $24 to $54 and are available at OCTheatre.org. The production is not recommended for young children due to its mature themes and content.
Source: eugeneweekly.com.
