'Lizzie' heads to off-Broadway with BW music theatre grads in starring roles

UPDATE 6/10/2019 This show was postponed and tickets refunded in early June. In a joint statement, producers Danita Thomas and John E. Thomas said, "We are so disappointed that this production will not happen at this time. However, we hold out all hope for a production to come together at a future date." Read more at Playbill.

When Victoria Bussert, who heads up Baldwin Wallace University's acclaimed music theatre program, takes "Lizzie The Musical" to off-Broadway this summer, she'll be directing two BW graduates in lead roles. And it will be a BW "Lizzie" reunion.

Shannon O'Boyle '12, who played the title role in BW's original 2012 Playhouse Square production of "Lizzie," will reprise the part for the New York production, while Ciara Renée '13, who starred alongside O'Boyle as a BW undergrad, will change roles for this iteration, playing Alice.

O'Boyle and Renée have both enjoyed success on stage and screen since departing Northeast Ohio. Renée is best known as Hawk Girl from TV's DC's Legends of Tomorrow as well as Broadway's "Big Fish" and "Pippin." O'Boyle's Broadway credits include "Once" and "Kinky Boots."

'Beyond Thrilling'

The other two members of the "Lizzie" cast include Broadway's Eden Espinosa ("Wicked," "Rent") and Drama Desk nominee Carrie Cimma.

"It's beyond thrilling," Bussert told The Plain Dealer. "To be able to hand-pick a cast like this is something I never expected."

As if that wasn't enough BW talent in the mix, Charlotte Yetman, who heads up the BW Theatre Department's costume design program, has been tapped to create costumes for "Lizzie," as well.

Previews July 19

The rock musical tells the story of Lizzie Borden, the Victorian Massachusetts girl who was acquitted of killing her parents with an ax in 1892.

Created by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer, Tim Maner and Alan Stevens Hewitt, "Lizzie" is produced by Danita and John Thomas of Strongsville, Ohio.

"Lizzie" will run in previews beginning July 19 at the Pershing Square Signature Center on West 42nd Street, before opening on August 5 for a limited engagement through September 29.

Ticket Sales

Tickets are now on sale through Monday, April 1, exclusively on TodayTix. All tickets for previews through TodayTix are $40.

Tickets will be available through TicketCentral.com, by calling (212) 279-4200, and in-person at the Ticket Central box office (416 W. 42nd Street; Monday - Sunday: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.). An hour prior to curtain, there is a Ticket Central representative on site at The Pershing Square Signature Center for night-of walk-up sales.