Lizzie Borden: Warps and Wefts

It was a big day at #92 for the cast of the Pear Essential Players as they turned in 10 performances of Lizzie Borden CSI.  Tickets sold out and the gift shop was buzzing with activity from early morning until the end of the day when the evening check- ins arrived.  All  previous records were broken this year.

Rufus Hilliard                                                 Ray Mitchell

There were a few new faces this year in the cast including Ray Mitchell who portrayed city marshal Rufus Hilliard and bore an uncanny resemblance to his character!  Michael Brooks took over the role of James Winward, Undertaker and was suitably grave and distinguished.

(photo courtesy of Lee Ann Wilber)

For the first time, the bed in the guest room was moved in order to reproduce a lesser-known photo of Abby Borden.

With a nod to Richard’s Behren’s new book, Lizzie Borden: Girl Detective, Kathryn Woods played Miss Nellie Drew, girl detective and interviewed Uncle John Morse.

Molly O’Brien took over as Miss Manning from the Fall River Herald and also had a few things to ask Uncle John.

photo courtesy of Lee Ann Wilber

The men in blue were out in force this year with Ben Rose reprising Detective Seaver, and new B&B museum employees Justin Dunne and Will Clawson playing Medley and Harrington.  Mustaches were a key element in bringing the characters to life with Hilliard’s famous walrus mustache and Harrington’s “handlebar” stash adding much to the characterization.

Will Clawson                     Phil Harrington

 Justin Dunne played a young officer William Medley.  Medley would become Fall River’s first Chief of Police.

Justin Dunne                              Chief Medley

Many actors have played Andrew Borden over the years and this year B&B employee Logan Livesey had the tough task of staying perfectly still under the sheet.

Tomorrow: Set dressing the house, our cast regulars, and the cast trip to Maplecroft!

The weather was damp and drizzly Saturday and Sunday but did not stop the energetic bunch from outside activities.  Several cemeteries within the city were visited including Old North, Oak Grove, and St. John’s. The Mutton Eaters learned that Capt. Harrington is buried in the Leary lot, with no stone, which explains why the hunt was unsuccessful.  Old North contains the final resting places of Hannah Reagan (prison matron who overheard Lizzie say to Lizzie, “You’ve given me away, Emma”), Mrs. James D. Burt, a Borden neighbor, and Charles Trafton, for whom the house on Second Street was built. 

A stop was made at St. Anne’s Church in the south end, and then on to nearby Kennedy Park to see the spot where Sarah Cornell was found hanged from a tree near the Taunton River.  Lunch was at McGovern’s where original Mutton Eaters Debbie Valentine and Barbara MacDonald joined the group. 

After lunch the gang went on to the Lafayette Durfee house on Cherry Street where they were treated to a private tour and special exhibit for Patriot’s Day http://www.lafayettedurfeehouse.org/

The Hyman Lubinsky Ice Cream Social  followed at 5 p.m. and featured an amazing assortment of eatables including a birthday cake for Officer Harrington, whose birthday it would have been. Harrington was the policeman who had his doubts from the start about Lizzie and gave that detailed description of what she was wearing.

Very special guests arrived who now live in Dr. Kelly’s Third Street home, and brought with them an assortment of things found in the Kelly home which were unearthed from between the walls.  Dr. Kelly and his family lived next door to the Bordens in 1892.  Kitchen spices, photos and medical journals were displayed for the Mutton Eaters.  It is possible that one of the photos may be that of Dr. Kelly’s daughter Philomena Kelly who married the grandson of banker Abraham Hart (among the last people to see Andrew Borden alive).

Former employees of the B&B dropped by and the evening ended with Lizzie quizzes and games, prizes, a reading from Richard Behren’s new book, Lizzie Borden Girl Detective, singing of  Lizzie’s favorite hymn, At Hame in My Ain Countrie, and some original Lizzie songs made up on the spot. Two initiations were held for new Mutton Eaters Molly and Will, both employees of Lizzie Borden’s Bed and Breakfast Museum.

Sunday saw several of the Mutton Eaters leaving early for home after breakfast at the Highland Ave. Spa.  The remnant had a great day antiquing in Bristol with lunch at Leo’s.  Everyone, to be sure, had a very good night’s sleep Sunday night- and plans are already being made for next year.

Fall River musician, Don Hammontree may not be a Fall River native, but he certainly knows the city and its history. With a folk-rock, “alternative” sound, Hammontree has released three CDs, Mount Hope Days in 2003, The Mumbai in 2005 and the latest, Brutalist School in 2010.  You can sample Mp3 offerings, including “Maplecroft” on the Mount Hope Days CD at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/hammontree

To hear about  Don’s next  performance live, visit his MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/donhammontree

If we could turn back the clock, St. Patrick’s Day would have been a merry occasion in Fall River’s Corky Row. Hopefully Borden maid, Bridget Sullivan would have had the evening off, and neighbor Dr. Michael Kelly, a popular figure and planner of St. Patrick’s day doings in  Fall River, would be in high demand as speaker. 

Chances are if you live near Fall River and take an interest in the Borden case, Ric Rebelo will have interviewed you!  Working on the most comprehensive Borden case documentary ever made for a Master’s project, Ric has spent over 2 years tracking down every angle and and camera angle to be had in the quest to cover the various theories on who-dunnit and why we care so much! 

On Sunday, March 7th, some fresh faces assembled at the house on Second Street to recreate scenes from the famous unsolved crime, featuring the Irish maid, the illegitimate son, Uncle Morse, and even Lizzie as possible hatchet wielders.  The Cast:

Uncle John V. Morse:  Michael Reed, Bridget Sullivan: Sarah Nicklin, Lizzie Borden: Ruth Sullivan, Abby Borden: Shelley Dziedzic, Billy Borden: Brandon Aponte, and Andrew Borden: Dan LeLievre.

Ric and Richard

and Max, who kept his theory a secret.

The IMDB (International Movie Data Base) has likened Bette Davis’ portrayal of Charlotte Hollis in Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte to the life of Lizzie Borden.   The 1964 film was a box office hit, and the haunting  theme of the same name recorded by Patti Page enjoyed great success for years after.

Charlotte Hollis is a reclusive spinster living in a decaying old mansion, who is believed by the citizens of her small city, to have murdered her suitor (a married man).  The circumstances appear to have been a murder/suicide with Charlotte’s formidable father as the culprit who puts both an end to Charlotte’s lover and then to himself.  Did Charlotte kill her true love (played by Bruce Dern) ? The town thinks she was guilty and that she got away with murder.  The method of dispatch was a large, sharp meat cleaver, with the head and hand of Charlotte’s beau being savagely hacked off, reminiscent of the removal of the heads of Abby and Andrew Borden in Oak Grove Cemetery on August 11, 1892  to be stored as evidence.

Olivia DeHavilland plays Miriam, Charlotte’s refined, gentle cousin- an Emma Bordenesque, sisterly presence who harbors a dark, dark twisted secret, along with the trusted family doctor of many years played by Joseph Cotten ( an 1892 parallel to Dr. Bowen?!)  There are plenty of turns and twists along the way, many witnessed by the household domestic servant, played superbly by Agnes Moorehead, who tries to protect Charlotte – not quite a Bridget Sullivan, ( the Borden’s household domestic who was home the day of the Borden killings) but still an interesting parallel.

The gossipings and whisperings of the townfolk in front of Charlotte’s house as well as behind closed doors and on the street harken back to the Fall River crowds on Second Street in 1892-93 and even later to French Street when Lizzie moved into Maplecroft. 

The end of the film is very satisfying as we, the viewer, are privy to the real story of what happened in 1927 in the Hollis summerhouse (1927 also being the year of Lizzie Borden’s death).  There are three more murders over the course of the film.  Unlike the Borden story however, we find out the truth in the end.  To view the murder scene with cleaver, visit this Youtube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9csL2GVU1Y

Wishing everyone a happy Christmas filled with good things, good friends and family, and good cheer!

Emma and Lizzie have a stocking at the mantel in the sitting room for Christmas.  #92 Second Street was a popular stop on last weekend’s Victorian home tour sponsored by the Preservation Society of Fall River. 

It would be interesting to know just how elaborate the Borden Christmases were and whether or not any of the fireplaces were ever used since Mr. Borden had installed radiators. 

Chances are that if you only take the day tour at the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast, you have missed meeting one of the great assets of the establishment, longtime head chef, Dave Quigley.  Dave and the B&B started out together on the same day back in 1996, and Dave is the longest -serving employee of the business.  When the house first opened its doors, Dave would come on duty at 10 p.m. just as the night tour of the house ended, and would spend the “third shift” perched uncomfortably on the narrow, hard Victorian sofa in the parlor, watching the tiny television set which received only 3 channels with rabbit ear antenna. 

Dave was oncall to answer a million questions from overnight guests and deal with all the night time emergencies that can happen in an old house.  “How do I get to Salem?”, “Where is Bellevue Avenue?”,  “What’s a jonnycake?”, etc. and many other pressing inquires Dave had to field every morning.  All these he answered cheerfully with good humor and an amazing talent for knowing the best places to eat, the best routes to take to most of New England attractions, and the usual queries about the Borden case and the house in general. Dave became a master of all trades by necessity.  Leaky faucets, plugged up toilets, fire alarms going off in the night, special requirements from guests, unwanted visitors, power blackouts, snowstorms – Dave saw it all.  And in the process probably flipped over 100,000 of the famous cornmeal jonnycakes. Foremost and primarily, Dave loved to cook and chat with the guests. Sometime’s Dave would forget the jonnycakes while visiting with the guests and the smoke alarms would sound, bringing the Fire Chief to the door in full gear, wielding an axe.  Memorable moments.

The menu has not changed much since opening day:  scrambled eggs, homefried potatoes, sausages or Canadian bacon, coffee, tea, fruit cup and jonnycakes, the last item served to the Bordens on the fateful day.  Dave used to love to tell the story about jonnycakes, a local delicacy and an acquired taste.  “Journey cakes, they were called because they could travel a long time in a saddlebag on a long trek”, Dave would intone every morning. “Put some maple syrup on ‘em- then they have some taste”.

Over the past few years Dave has been spared the hard sofa overnight, and arrives about 6 a.m. to get the coffee machine going for early risers.  Chefs in training, Will and Logan, will be taking over for Dave next weekend.  Here’s wishing Dave many happy golfing days on the greens, big wins at the casino, and relaxing hours with lovely wife, Jean.  Best Wishes!

Dave’s old black gas Glenwood, once found rusting in a field in Vermont and refitted for gas pipes.  “She’s temperamental but works like a champ if you know how to appease her”!

Dave (on the right) as Uncle John Morse, August 4, 2002.

LIZZIE BORDEN LIVE

Winner best actress:  JACOBY AWARD

Back by popular demand.  LIZZIE BORDEN LIVE is returning to The Eagle Performing Arts Center, 35 North Main Street, Fall River, MA for two performances in August. Friday the 21st at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday the 22nd at 8:00 p.m.. 117 years ago on these dates Lizzie Borden was sitting in the Taunton County Jail, where she resided for 10 months, awaiting trial.  Tickets ($30).  Purchase on line at www.lizziebordenlive.com (click on Schedule page) or at the door.

Lizzie Borden Live debuted in Fall River at the Eagle in June to a sold out house. Ms. Dalton said, “We are thrilled to finally bring Lizzie Borden Live to Fall River and the response was overwhelming.”  Jerry Donovan, who recently restored the Eagle, said “The play and its sell-out mark the beginning of a new era in the city. ”  Mayor Robert Correla praised the play saying it was powerful and exceptionally performed.  Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter, who attended the play with his wife Dottie. Said, “If she was innocent, that was an incredible price to pay.  If she was guilty, she got what she deserved.  But it raises aspects and a side of this story I never had considered.”

“Jill Dalton, who plays Lizzie and wrote the play stunned audience members with her delivery, which featured many laughs, many somber notes and a compelling tragedy.”  Ric Oliveira, O Journal

On a hot August morning the bodies of Andrew Borden and his wife were found bludgeoned to death.  Their youngest daughter, Lizzie, became the only suspect.  Innocent in a court of law.  Guilty in the court of public opinion.  Condemned by society.  The legend comes to life with humor and insight as the real Lizzie steps on stage.

“Dalton is nothing less than superb in her depiction of the character, as her Lizzie is alternating sweet, innocent, witty and savagely murderous.  The audience is left to decide which Lizzie is the real one.”  Ed Wismer, Cape May Star Wave

 Jill Dalton, (writer/performer) an award winning New York actress with a long list of television and theatre credits, was commissioned by the East Lynne Theater Company in Cape May, N.J. to write the play where it had a successful five week run garnering praise and standing ovations from audiences and critics alike.  Ms Dalton won the 2007 Jacoby Award for her portrayal of Lizzie in Lizzie Borden Live.  Ms. Dalton wants the audience to decide for themselves if Lizzie Borden was guilty of killing her father and step-mother on August 4, 1892.

The true crime thriller is set 13 years after the double murder in Maplecroft, the mansion Lizzie bought with money inherited from her father.  “Dalton gives a compelling performance enacting the humanity, humor, irony and sadness of a woman who’s had time to reflect on horrific events.” Susan Johnson, Red Rock News

Jack McCullough, (director) born in Fall River, said, “We had to get down to the very marrow of the bone, otherwise there’s no point in telling the story.  People come to see Lizzie expecting to see a monster and instead they find themselves.”

 Haunting the performance is music written by Emmy winning and Tony nominated orchestrator and composer Larry Hochman, who created his original pieces based on the script and his personal observations during rehearsals.

 Dalton’s credits include:  Law and Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Rachel Getting Married, Veronika Decides to Die (2009), Wall Street, Another World,  All My Children, One Life to Live, As The World Turns and Saturday Night Live.  Ms. Dalton was also a stand up comic for several years and won the Mary Jo Comedy Show Award for stand-up comedy in NYC. 

 McCullough, a graduate of the Trinity Repertory Conservatory in Providence, R.I., also directed another of Dalton’s solo plays, My Life in the Trenches, most recently at the Kitchen Theatre in Ithaca, NY and at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, the International Midtown Theatre Festival NYC, the One Festival and the 78th Street Theatre Lab in NYC.  As an actor he appeared in Third Watch, Desperate Measures, The Observer, Osmosis Jones, Spenser: for Hire, Mr. North and Providence.

 Seating is limited to 150.  The doors of the Eagle will open at 7:00 PM.   Prior to the performance there will be a cash bar and members of the Mutton Eaters, dressed in period garb, will meet and greet the guests.

  Lizzie Borden Live challenges the audience to rethink the legend that is Lizzie Borden.  Think you know her?  Think again!  

 The Eagle Performing Arts Center

35 N. Main Street

Fall River, MA  02723

 Tickets ($30).  Available at www.lizziebordenlive.com (click on Schedule page) and (CASH ONLY) at the door.

 Press contact:  Jack McCullough (917) 806-3243 or lizziebordenlive@gmail.com