A Cut Above: Jessica Cockcroft is Bridget Sullivan 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 American culture, from folk rhymes to feature films.

Now, this uniquely dark American fable comes to HCT in LIZZIE, the intensely intimate rock musical that plays in the Firemen's Kitchen from May 2nd through May 24th.

Making her onstage debut in this production as Bridget Sullivan, the Borden Family maid as well as the show's narrator, is Jessica Cockcroft.

A resident of Hickory and Pottery Teacher at Hickory High School (Go, Red Tornadoes!), Cockcroft holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Wingate University. Her numerous hobbies include pottery, knitting, and crochet. "My hobby is collecting hobbies," admits Cockcroft.

Though this is her first time appearing on stage here, as a music director Cockcroft has been a critical creative member for such Hickory Community Theatre productions as ANASTASIA and IN THE HEIGHTS. Other music directing credits include MATILDA at the Green Room Community Theatre. Such creative collaboration is part of what drew her to this production. "LIZZIE appealed to me because it has a small cast of women with an all-female creative team. [HCT] is a great place to make friends and meet new people with shared interests."

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.