In the News
Lizzie and Fall River in print television and radio
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A banner year for Mass. Superior Court
2009 markes the 150th anniversary for the Massachusetts Superior courts.
Many events and displays are on tap for the year . Of particular interest is this notation on their web site“Lizzie Borden, Redux ~ Multiple dates and locations
New Bedford Superior Courthouse ~ September 24
Fall River Superior Courthouse ~ October 22
Taunton Superior Courthouse ~ November 19
Ms. Borden was acquitted of the murder of her father
and mother and no other suspect was ever identified.
The trial, which took place in 1893 in the New Bedford
Superior Court, continues to interest and intrigue the
public. Not a re-enactment but in a mock trial, Ms.
Borden will be tried again with two lawyers serving as
team prosecutors and two lawyers as team defense. The
audience will vote a verdict.”
To see a listing of all the big doings for the year visit http://www.mass.gov/courts/press/summary-of-events.pdf
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She’s back . . . . .
LIZZIE BORDEN LIVE !
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND !!
IN PROVIDENCE, RI
Friday the 13th thru The Ides of March
“Sweet, innocent, witty and savagely murderous.”
Ed Wismer, Cape May Star and Wave
~ Columbus Theatre ~
270 Broadway, 2nd floor ~ Cinematheque
Providence, RI 02903
(Accessible by stairs only)
…Think you know her?…Think again….
THE LEGEND COMES TO LIFE
Written & Performed by: Jill Dalton
Directed by: Jack McCullough Music by: Larry Hochman
Lighting Design by: John P. Boomer
Friday March 13, 2009 ~ 8:00 p.m.
Saturday March 14, 2009 ~ 8:00 p.m.
Sunday March 15, 2009 ~ 3:00 p.m.
Advance Tickets ~ $25.00
Click on “SCHEDULE “
or purchase at the door
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JILL Dalton As: Lizzie Borden
Winner 2007 Jacoby Award:
MOST OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS
“The nod goes to Jill Dalton for her Lizzie Borden in “Lizzie Borden Live.” She runs the gamut of emotions in her performance from that of a mild Christian woman to a ruthless murderer. Her reenactment of the murder of her mother (it was my stepmother!) and father is a chilling scene in this play and Dalton, who also wrote the script, vividly brings it to the audience.”
Jacob Schaad Jr., The Cape May Gazette
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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.” Cape May Star Wave
“I heartily recommend you see Lizzie Borden Live. . . . complex and most interesting Lizzie, in the person of Jill Dalton.
Cape May Star Wave
“Absorbing performance . . . Dalton runs the gamut of emotions from supposedly mild Christian woman to that of a ruthless murderer.”
Cape May Gazette
“Everything from Jill’s facial features (like Lizzie herself) to the way her voice can change throughout the play makes for compelling and oddly sympathetic viewing.” Exit Zero
“Truly superb . . . the script is fascinating. Jill Dalton is an astonishingly talented actress – she changes her mood and characters in a split second. The play should get a Pulitzer.”
Charles Alexander, writer for Time Magazine
“Miss Dalton’s performance is a tour de force”
Richard Behrens, The Hatchet: Journal of Lizzie Borden Studies
“Our audience comes to see Lizzie Borden Live expecting to find a monster….
and instead they find themselves.” Jack McCullough, Director of Lizzie Borden Live
Lizzie Borden Live was originally commissioned by: East Lynn Theater Company, Cape May, NJ
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Baltimore hosts 200th anniversary Poefest!
Those who follow the dark side of Victoriana, murder, mystery and mayhem might consider attending some of the events marking Poe’s 200th birthday. Although Mr. Poe’s actual birthday on January 19th has just passed, there will be many events year long. Visit the link to see what’s in store for 2009 – just imagine what Poe might have made of the Borden story! http://www.nevermore2009.com/
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Miss Lizzie’s Back in Town!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE! January 7, 2009
LIZZIE BORDEN LIVE
. . . think you know her? . . . think again. The legend comes to life.Back by popular demand. Due to the overwhelming response “Lizzie Borden Live” is coming back to The Columbus Theatre (2nd floor Cinemateque), 270 Broadway in Providence, R.I. for three performances in March. Friday the 13th at 8:00 p.m., Saturday the 14th at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday the 15th (Ides of March) at 3:00 p.m. Tickets ($25). Purchase on line at www.lizziebordenlive.com (click on Schedule page) or at the door.
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 supurb 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 orchastrator 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 Conseveratory 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.
The Columbus Theatre
(2nd floor Cinemateque)
270 Broadway
Providence, R.I. 02903Tickets ($25). Available at www.lizziebordenlive.com (click on Schedule page) and at the door .
Press contact: Jack McCullough (917) 806-3243 or lizziebordenlive@gmail.com
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More Lizzie in 2009 !
We’re back in 2009! Hope your holidays were happy and filled with Good Things. 2009 promises to be a great year for Bordenites with several new Lizzie B bios, a re-enactment of the 1893 trial in New Bedford for the 150th anniversary of the Bristol County Courthouse, a few television specials about Lizzie and the case on the boards and in production, and more. Lizzie Borden Live will be playing in the Providence-Fall River area in March and a few surprises are in store for the upcoming year. If you missed the big news last month, a new photo of Emma Borden was located by Hatchet editor, Stefani Koorey http://www.heraldnews.com/town_info/history/x1720687532/A-new-development-in-Borden-history very exciting !
There are a few new things going on at 92 Second Street as well- stay tuned. The house is open daily for tours but only open on weekends this month and next for overnight guests. The mammoth courthouse across the street is building up full tilt and makes quite an impact on Second Street.
A new blog link just added here, “Slip into Something Victorian” has posted a nice story on a visit in December to Second Street- http://slipintosomethingvictorian.wordpress.com/2009/01/05/lizzie-borden-sensational-victorian-murder/ Enjoy!
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Providence Loves Lizzie Borden Live !
As a monsoon raged outside the Broadway St. Columbus Theatre, inside the historic edifice, actress Jill Dalton was also taking the city by storm. Playing to a sold-out house Saturday night, Ms. Dalton delivered a performance which brought down the house. The intimate venue was ideal for establishing a direct rapport with the actress on stage as she wove a tapestry of memories from the mind and soul of the notorious accused murderess. At times, as she stepped out from behind the footlights to address the audience personally, it was as if we were all transported back in time to the garden of Maplecroft, her Fall River mansion after the acquittal.
It was a tour de force encapsulation of the major events in the life of Lizzie Borden, from her relationship with her older sister Emma, her friendship with actress Nance O’Neil, to life on Second Street, her Grand Tour trip, trial and acquittal- and of course- the day of the homicides. With a masterful, sometimes humorous, and always compelling portrayal, Miss Dalton has taken the two-dimensional picture most of us have of Lizzie Borden and fleshed her out into a living, breathing, complex human being- sometimes frightening- sometimes sympathetic. The audience was spellbound – and all too soon it was over. This is one not to miss.
Fall River, take note– Lizzie Borden Live should be “coming home”! For upcoming dates check the web site at http://www.lizziebordenlive.com/
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Lizzie heads West
Jill Dalton’s one-woman play, Lizzie Borden Live opens on October 16th in an unlikely place – the Canyon Moon Theatre in Sedona, Arizona. Read all about it at the link below.
http://www.sedona.biz/lizzie-borden-canyon-moon0108.htm
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Lizzie Borden Live ! Schedule of Performances
Actress and playwright Jill Dalton accepting her 2008 “Lambie” for best actress from the Second Street Irregulars at the annual Mutton Eaters’ Banquet.Sept.7, 2008, Sunday 3:00 pm 78th Street Theatre Lab, 236 W. 78th St.,NYC,Between B’way & AmsterdamSunday Oct. 5, 2008, 3:00 pm 78th Street Theatre Lab, 236, W. 78th St.,NYC,Between B’way & AmsterdamFriday Nov. 14, 2008, 8:00 pm Columbus Theatre, 270 Broadway, Providence, RISaturday Nov. 15, 2008, 8:00 pm Columbus Theatre, 270 Broadway, Providence, RISun. Dec. 7, 2008, 3:00 pm 78th Street Theatre Lab, 236 W. 78th St.,NYC,Between B’way & AmsterdamThurs, Fri, Sat, January 8,9,10, 2009, 7:30 pm Canyon Moon Theatre 6601 Highway 179, Sedona, AZSunday Jan.11, 2009, 3:00 pm Canyon Moon Theatre 6601 Highway 179, Sedona, AZThurs, Fri, Sat, January 15, 16, 17, 2009, 7:30 pm Canyon Moon Theatre 6601 Highway 179, Sedona, AZSunday Jan.18, 2009, 3:00 pm Canyon Moon Theatre 6601 Highway 179, Sedona, AZ -
The Controversy Rages On
The approach to the Braga Bridge, Fall River signs on 195E (and also 195 westbound) feature a mention of the Lizzie Borden Museum and have done so for some time.
Still garnering front page news is the continuing battle between Salem and Fall River over who owns the rights to the Lizzie Borden story, and the all-important word, “Museum”. Channel 25 Fox television out of Boston ran this segment yesterday http://www.myfoxboston.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7177254&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1 Sounds like several of those interviewed for the news clip might benefit from a visit to a museum telling the facts! No date has yet been given out for the Salem opening.
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A hex on the new Salem Lizzie Museum?
Once again the much-anticipated opening of the True Story of Lizzie Borden attraction in Salem was delayed. Hoping to open on Lizzie’s birthday on July 19th, the date had to be pushed forward to August 4th, the anniversary of the murders. The woodwork paint was drying, the local newspapers were touting the opening, and Fall River was getting into the controversy about Lizzie’s presence in Salem-when the August 4th opening never materialized. Hopefully eager visitors-to-be called ahead, or else there were some murderous prospective guests who must have been disappointed to find closed doors on the day. Meanwhile, back in old Fall River, August 4th went on as ever.
Today the word is out that the opening date of the attraction/museum/exhibit is uncertain due to some difficulties with the city of Salem officials- red tape, paperwork, permits, -something like that. Makes you wonder if the other famous ladies of the city- those ladies in the pointy hats- are brewing up some spells ! Maybe they don’t want any competition from another woman!
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August 4th is coming to Second Street !
Bed and Breakfast co-owner LeeAnn Wilber starring as
Lizzie Borden for August 4th
Sure signs it must be August are the heat and humidity- and the Fall River newspapers and local television channels talking about Fall River’s most infamous native daughter. This year, as in every year since the B&B museum on Second Street opened, there will be a recreation of the Borden story on August 4th. There is a new script again this year, this time with the largest cast ever assembled. The production, which was sold out by noon last year, will feature new characters, some for the first time ever. Naturally visitors want to meet the family, Abby and Andrew, Lizzie and Irish maid Bridget- but this year sister Emma, several of the neighbors, ( Mrs. Churchill, Mrs. Kelly, Mrs. Bowen) Dr. Dolan, Little Abbie Whitehead, and even the undertaker, Mr. Winward will be making an appearance at #92 Second Street. Visitors to the house will “find” the body of Mrs. Borden upstairs, listen to Dr. Dolan’s preliminary observations on the body of Andrew Borden which is covered with a sheet on the sofa, hear about the funeral plans, and help to search for a possible weapon in the cellar! Tours will take place between 11 and 3:30, approximately on the half hour. Tickets may be purchased in the barn gift shop behind the Borden house.
“She’s not my mother- she is my step-mother.”
“It all depends on your idea of cordiality.”
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Jack the Ripper 2008 Conference
The fifth biennial U.S. conference on Jack the Ripper will take place October 10-12th in Knoxville, Tennessee. It will be held at the Four Points by Sheraton Knoxville Cumberland House Hotel, which is immediately adjacent to the World’s Fair Park and its distinctive Sunsphere and less than an hour’s drive from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For more information please visit the website at http://www.ripperology.com/conference/where.html
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Salem Lizzie Museum announces August 4th opening
The Salem local papers announced this morning the date of the long-awaited Lizzie Borden Museum -August 4th, the date of the murders of Andrew and Abby Borden in Fall River. According to Leonard Pickel, the designer of the exhibit “This is going to be very much like a museum. More like the Peabody Essex than the witch museums. Don’t expect to come and be entertained, but come to learn something about the true story of Lizzie Borden.”
It should be interesting to see how the Salem Witch venue will succeed with a Fall River legend.
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Jack’s Back
For scholars of the Ripper case, (England’s Lizzie Borden), this summer looks like a bumper season. New from Peter Ackroyd is Jack the Ripper and The East End, a hefty volume containing copious maps, photographs and essays. Amazon has a few used copies in the 40-60 dollar range. The book is enjoying mixed reviews, mostly positive all in all. Those who don’t mind the depressing exchange rate for the dollar can visit the new Jack the Ripper Exhibit at the Museum in Docklands touted as “… the first time the public will have the opportunity to examine the original police documents relating to the murders and their investigation.”
For more information visit http://www.molg.org.uk/English/NewsRoom/current The exhibition runs through November 2nd.
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Update on Lizzie in Salem
The new Lizzie Borden gift shop and museum is slated to have a
“soft opening” in the second week of July with the Grand Opening scheduled for Lizzie’s birthday. The museum, located near the new statue of Elizabeth Montgomery in her Bewitched incarnation, will feature photos and documents, displays and a mock-up of the trial room, and will be aiming for careful historical accuracy. Visit the website at http://lizziebordenmuseum.com/ -
Wareham residents appear on Monsterquest
As June 11th approaches, more press on the involvement of locals is featured in area nespapers and publications. http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080604/NEWS/806040356
The episode, filmed at the Borden house last winter, will air this Wednesday at 9 p.m.
http://www.unexplainable.net/artman/publish/article_9601.shtml
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Lizzie Borden Comes to Monsterquest
The word this week is that the Lizzie Borden episode, shot at the house on Second St. last winter, should air June 11th at 9 p.m. The program usually showcases things like Big Foot, Champ, the Loch Ness creature, and other cryptozoology beasties. I wonder what this says about Lizzie?
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Good news for Green St.
A recent visit to the Brownell house on Green Street, the address of Emma Borden’s alibi on the day of the murders, revealed good things happening for the old place.
The sagging front steps have been removed, the jungle growth of trumpet vine has been cut back, and a large dumpster in the side yard is filled with debris. Structurally, the house has been pronounced in good shape, with some minor roof leaks and a side porch which needs shoring up. Here’s hoping for brighter days ahead soon for the historic property!
