Blue Coyote Theater Group presents

NANCE O'NEIL by David Foley
directed by Gary Shrader

Wednesday, September 08, 2010 through Saturday, October 09, 2010

Performances:
NANCE O’NEIL begins previews on Wednesday, September 8
for a limited engagement through
Saturday, October 9.

Opening Night is Wednesday,
September 15 at 8 PM.

The performance schedule is
Wednesday – Saturday at 8:00 PM.

Performances are at the Access Theater (380 Broadway, just north of White Street).

Tickets are $25 ($15 during previews) and are available by calling SmartTix at 212-868-4444 or online at www.smarttix.com.

Featuring:
Rachel Brown as Nance O’Neil
Jonna McElrath* as Lizzie Borden
Jane Titus* as Emma Borden
Frank Anderson* as McKee Rankin

Lighting design by Christopher Weston
Set design by Emily Inglis
Costume design by Christi Cuofal
Press by Karen Greco
When actress Nance O’Neil arrived in Boston in 1904 with her repertoire of tragic heroines, the critics hailed her as “the American Sarah Bernhardt.” But it was her relationship with the infamous Lizzie Borden that caused the bigger sensation. David Foley’s NANCE O’NEIL, imaginatively elaborated from a historical footnote, examines the fascinating relationship between these two women. Were they in love? Or were there other motivations at play?

The story of Lizzie Borden has captured the American imagination for well over a Century. Accused of the brutal hatchet murders of her father and stepmother, Lizzie was acquitted by a Fall River, Massachusetts jury, but her presumed guilt lingered in the small community where she lived. She has remained a notorious figurein American folklore.

The relationship between Nance O’Neil and Lizzie Borden has been rife with speculation. As a spinster, Lizzie’s sexuality has always been in question. With rumors of Nance’s numerous affairs with other women,some high profile, several historians and researchers have speculated that Nance and Lizzie were indeed lovers. However, historically this remains as elusive as Mr. and Mrs. Borden’s killer.