Rock musical 'Lizzie' stands up to suppression

From left, Emma Borden (Kim Ryeo-won), Bridget Sullivan (Lee Young-mi), Lizzie Borden (Na Ha-na) and Alice Russell (Choi Soo-jin) perform in a scene from the rock musical "Lizzie" at Dream Art Center in downtown Seoul. Courtesy of Shownote

By Kwon Mee-yoo

The tale of Lizzie Borden, one of the most notorious cold cases in American criminal history, arrived in Seoul with ferocious rock music in the musical "Lizzie," staged at Dream Art Center in Daehangno, central Seoul.

"Lizzie" is one of the few all-women rock musicals, but it explodes with energy coming from punk music and the power of sisterhood.

With music by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt, lyrics by Cheslik-DeMeyer and Tim Maner and book by Maner, “Lizzie” was initiated from a four-song experimental rock cycle in 1990 and premiered in a musical format on Off-Off-Broadway in 2009.

The musical centers around Lizzie Borden, the second daughter of the Borden family and prime suspect in double axe murders of her stepmother Abby and father Andrew. Her elder sister Emma Borden, the Bordens' maid Bridget Sullivan and their neighbor Alice Russell testify for Lizzie at her trial, in which she was acquitted.

Set in Fall River, Massachusetts in summer of 1892, the show begins with "Forty Whacks (Prologue)," a rendition of a children's skipping-rope rhyme ― Lizzie Borden took an axe, gave her mother 40 whacks. When she saw what she had done, she gave her father 41.

After this infamous yet catchy tune, "Lizzie" reveals its true colors ― blistering punk rock telling of the notorious double axe murderer ― as Bridget introduces the family in “The House of Borden.”

The musical, which premiered over a decade ago based on a 19th century murder case, tries to relate to contemporary issues. Instead of looking for the truth about the murder, the musical assumes that Lizzie did axe her stepmother and father and tries to fathom why she did so.

Hong Seo-yeong, top, as Emma Borden, left, and Yu Ri-a as Lizzie Borden in musical "Lizzie" / Courtesy of Shownote

The creators of the musical "Lizzie" interpreted that the Borden sisters were sexually abused by their father and Lizzie was a lesbian who was mistreated by her family for it, which gave spurs to the murder.

Lizzie, played by Yu Ri-a and Na Ha-na, sings on her father's sexual molestation in "This Is Not Love" before shouting out "Gotta Get Out of Here." Lizzie's revolt against her sexually abusive father is represented in the axe murder, which could sound the alarm among many sex criminals these days, including the Nth Room case.

"Somebody Will Do Something," the high-energy final score of the first act, was inspired by Lizzie's actual remarks after seeing her father's dead body ― "Somebody came in and killed him."

Emma, alternated by Kim Ryeo-won and Hong Seo-yeong, is portrayed as a high-handed older sister, but shows twisted affection in the song "Sweet Little Sister."

The relationship between Lizzie and Alice (J-Min and Choi Soo-jin) is described symbolically such as the two biting off pears.

Na Ha-na as Lizzie Borden, left, and Kim Rye-won as Emma Borden / Courtesy of Shownote

In the Korean production, Bridget is performed by two veteran actresses Lee Young-mi and Choi Hyun-sun and progresses the plot in and out of the story.

Costume change plays a key role in the show. In the first act, all four characters are clad in 19th-century costumes, with their passion and desire locked away in ascetic dresses. However, after Lizzie has done the deed, their attire changes into punk style as if a sign of liberation. Some of the characters even take off their dress on stage, revealing studded tops and fishnet stockings.

This visualizes the women's change in an easy way, but at the same time reproduces feminine stereotypes, against the recent "corset-free" movement.

The women's rebellion against patriarchy continues in the second act as Emma and Lizzie "Burn the Old Thing Up." Lizzie is up for trial for the double murder, but gets acquitted as she sings "Watch me fly away" in the song "Thirteen Days in Taunton."

The two-story set like a cage reminds of the late 19th century when women were confined in home. LED projection transforms the backdrop from the Borden house to the courtroom where Lizzie is tried. A six-member band behind the bars plays the punk rock score, delivering the tale of the enigmatic murderer.

The Korean production of “Lizzie” runs through June 21.