A Cut Above: Jenni Canterbury is Lizzie Borden in LIZZIE

Lizzie Borden took an axe

She gave her mother 40 whacks.

When she saw what she had done

She gave her father 41.

When Andrew Borden and his wife are found gruesomely murdered in their home, Borden's youngest daughter Lizzie becomes the prime suspect. The murders and subsequent trial became a fixture of U.S. popular culture.

Now, this dark American fable comes to HCT in LIZZIE, the killer rock musical that will get audiences' blood flowing (figuratively, not literally) in the Firemen's Kitchen, May 2nd through May 24th.

From under the sea to the Ivy Leagues, there's no stopping Kay Award winner Jenni Canterbury, who returns to the Hickory Community Theatre stage as the title character in this no-holds-barred murder-musical experience.

Originally hailing from Hudson but now calling Statesville her home, Canterbury was a Show Choir full-ride scholarship recipient at Catawba Valley Community College. She is a Theatre Teacher for Davidson Community Players Junior Ensemble Theater Class, and in her free time enjoys snuggling with her coterie of cats: Remus, Una, Oliver and Tairn.

Canterbury made her Kay Award-winning Hickory Community Theatre as Ariel in THE LITTLE MERMAID. Other HCT credits include RENT, part of the Kay Award-winning Ensemble in PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, NOISES OFF, and PUFFS. She was also a Metrolina Theatre Award winner for her performance as Elle Woods in the Davidson Community Players production of LEGALLY BLONDE.

"It’s my home," Canterbury says of HCT. "I’ve performed there since 2014 and it feels like a safe space, where I can freely express myself onstage."

And now, it represents an opportunity to take on a dream role. "My love of Lizzie Borden runs deep. As a child, my grandma would sing the infamous nursery rhyme to me. I very rarely get the opportunity to portray darker characters, so that alone is exciting. I’m honored to be able to portray this thrilling and chilling historical figure. Not to mention, Lizzie’s vocal track in this show is WILD!"

Performances of LIZZIE are Fridays and Saturdays, May 2nd through May 24th at 7:30 PM; Sundays, May 4th and 11th at 2:30 PM; and, Thursday, May 15th at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $18 for adults, $12 for youth and students.

Tickets are available online at hickorytheatre.org, or by phone at 828-328-2283. The theatre box office is open from 12-5 PM Wednesday through Friday, or one half-hour before a performance.

CONTENT WARNING: LIZZIE contains loud noises, flashing lights, haze, foul language, blood, and references to murder and sexual abuse. Patrons under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

LIZZIE is produced in association with The Guild at Hickory Community Theatre. The Hickory Community Theatre’s 76th season is sponsored by A Cleaner World, Belle Age, Covington Dental, LifeRootz, Protection Products, Inc., and Shurtape Technologies. HCT is a Funded Affiliate of Arts Culture Catawba and receives additional support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.