5th Wall Announces Cast For Rock Opera Hard Hitter LIZZIE

5th Wall Theatre is proud to announce the selection of four eminently talented actresses to take on the bloody tale of accused axe murderess Lizzie Borden in LIZZIE, a rock opera musical filled with the adrenaline of a rock concert and the intrigue of one of America's most blood-curdling murder mysteries. LIZZIE puts a unique spin on the Lizzie Borden tale, reimagining it through a lens that combines Victorian era propriety and a give-no-cares riot girl attitude with book by Tim Maner, music by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer, and lyrics by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Tim Maner. Reviewers have praised the LIZZIE, calling it "a furiously performed declaration of feminist strength and survivorship" (Chicago Tribune) and "presented with wall-rattling glee...deliciously watchable" (New York Times).

Director Keith Fitzgerald will be leading the production and is excited to be a part of a show that features a strong all-female cast. "I have always been very intrigued by the Lizzie Borden story, and I love working on shows that feature talented women," says Fitzgerald, going on to express his excitement about working with LIZZIE's cast and creative team.

Fitzgerald, a renown local actor in his own right and veteran director of Richmond theatre, will oversee a cast of local actresses known for their intense performances: Rachel Rose Gilmour as Lizzie Borden; Rachel Marrs as Lizzie's sister Emma; Michaela Nicole as Bridget "Maggie" Sullivan; and Anne Michelle Forbes as Alice Russell.

Anne Michelle Forbes (Alice) joins 5th Wall Theatre again after performing in their co-production of Hand to God as Jessica/Jolene. Anne is a graduate of TheatreVCU with a BFA in Theatre Performance. Regional credits include Dames at Sea (Swift Creek Mill), Alice: A New Musical (TheatreLAB/Firehouse Theatre), The Song of Mulan (VA Rep on Tour), John (Cadence Theatre Company), 4000 Miles (Cadence Theatre Company), Sister Act (Riverside Center), and They're Playing Our Song (Virginia Repertory Theatre).

Rachel Rose Gilmour (Lizzie) holds a B.F.A in Acting from Five Towns College (NY). Some of her recent roles/productions in Richmond include Sarah the Blind Librarian in The Toxic Avenger (5th Wall Theatre), Kayleen in Gruesome Playground Injuries (TheatreLAB), the Vanessa Williams track in Sondheim on Sondheim (Richmond Triangle Players), the Narrator in Murder Ballad (5th Wall Theatre), Myrrhine in Lysistrata and Isabelle in The Heir Apparent (Quill Theatre). Rachel also performed this past year in A Glimpse of the Rainbow: Music & Lyrics of Anessa Marie at The Green Room 42 in New York City.

Rachel Marrs (Emma) returns to 5th Wall after appearing as Rhetta Cupp in their co-production of Pump Boys and Dinettes this past spring. Rachel was also recently seen as Maggie Winslow in Richmond Triangle Players' Chorus Line, Ben Affleck in Clear Theater Collective's Matt & Ben, and as Alice in TheatreLAB and Firehouse's RTCC Award Nominated Best Musical Alice: A New Musical.

Michaela Nicole (Maggie) joins 5th Wall's LIZZIE having performed in such productions as Sister Act at The Barter Theatre, Songs from the Soul at Virginia Repertory Theatre, Fun Home at Cadence Theatre, and Heathers: The Musical at TheatreLAB/Firehouse Theatre.

October 12th - November 3rd (with previews on October 10th and 11th) at The Basement, located at 300 E Broad Street in Richmond, Virginia. Tickets are $32 (Students $20 - group rates available). Tickets go on sale September 13th -- more info at 5thwalltheatre.org

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