BWW Stage Mag LIZZIE - Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre Stage Mag

 

LIZZIE

Presented by Marin Summer Theater and Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre
 
Performed at Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre
 
Music by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt 
Lyrics by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Tim Maner
Book by Tim Maner
 
Additional Music by Tim Maner

Additional Lyrics by Alan Stevens Hewitt

Orchestrations by Alan Stevens Hewitt

 

Based on an original concept by Alan Stevens Hewitt and Tim Maner 

 

Cast
Voni Kengla Jessica Tidd Tia Lempert Ashley Moore
Emma Greene
 
Creative Team

Set Designer
Julianne Bodner

Costume Designer 
Laura Helgeson

Lighting Designer
Sam Kemp

Sound Designer 
Marcus Storey

Asst. Director /
Stage Manager
Annie Craven

Choreographer
Steven Hrubes

Choreographer
Kelsey Nisbett

Music Director
Joshua Hegg

Producer
Diego Kjelland

Producer / Director /
Video Designer
Patrick Nims

   
  Run Time: Approx. 100 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.
  This production includes theatrical haze, strobe lights, and loud sounds.
   
 

LIZZIE has been developed with the assistance of tiny mythic theatre company, HERE Arts Center, Took An Axe Productions (Hillary Richard & Peter McCabe), Brisa Trinchero/Corey Brunish (Make Musicals), and Van Dean/Kenny Howard (Broadway Consortium).

 

LIZZIE was presented at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre’s Festival of New Musicals in 2010 and further developed by Village Theatre, Issaquah, Washington (Robb Hunt, Executive Producer • Steve Tomkins, Artistic Director). LIZZIE was produced by Theatre Under The Stars, October 2013.

 

The West Coast Premiere of LIZZIE was produced by Portland Center Stage, Chris Coleman, Artistic Director. Original European and London premiere produced by Fredericia Theater and Soren Moller, Denmark. To purchase recordings and sheet music, or for more information, please visit: www.LizzieTheMusical.com

 

LIZZIE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

 

THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTING RECORDINGS OR STREAMS IN ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED, A VIOLATION OF THE AUTHOR(S)’S RIGHTS AND ACTIONABLE UNDER UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: https://concordtheatricals.com/resources/protecting-artists

 

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Song List

Act 1

1: FORTY WHACKS (PROLOGUE)
2: THE HOUSE OF BORDEN
3: THIS IS NOT LOVE
4: GOTTA GET OUT OF HERE
5: IF YOU KNEW
6: THE SOUL OF THE WHITE BIRD
7: MAYBE SOMEDAY
8: “THE WILL” (UNDERSCORE)
9: SWEET LITTLE SISTER
10: SHATTERCANE AND VELVET GRASS
11: “THE MILK” (UNDERSCORE)
12: WILL YOU STAY?
13: WHY ARE ALL THESE HEADS OFF?
14: MERCURY RISING
15: SOMEBODY WILL DO SOMETHING

Act 2
16: FORTY WHACKS (ENTR’ACTE)
17: THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF BORDEN/ “THE ALIBI”
18: WHAT THE FUCK NOW, LIZZIE?
19: “THE DRESS” (UNDERSCORE)
20: BURN THE OLD THING UP
21: QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS
22: WILL YOU LIE?
23: WATCHMEN FOR THE MORNING
24: MAYBE SOMEDAY (REPRISE 1)
25: THIRTEEN DAYS IN TAUNTON
26: MAYBE SOMEDAY (REPRISE 2)
27: INTO YOUR WILDEST DREAMS (EPILOGUE)
28: FORTY WHACKS (CURTAIN)

Cast

Voni Kengla
Lizzie Borden
Jessica Tidd
Emma Borden
Tia Lempert
Alice Russell
Ashley Moore
Bridget Sullivan
Emma Greene
Standby for Lizzie, Emma, Alice, and Bridget
Joshua Hegg
Conductor / Keys
Attila Csikos
Guitar
Juliet Terrill
Bass
Adam Carlson
Drums
Mac Kastelic
Conductor / Keys Sub (11/5-8)
Brandon Sause
Guitar Sub (10/16 & 10/29)
Max Tucker
Drums Sub (10/29, 11/5-6)

Creative Team

Patrick Nims

Director / Co-Producer / Video Design

Diego Kjelland

Co-Producer

Joshua Hegg

Music Director

Steven Hrubes

Choreographer

Kelsey Nisbett

Choreographer

Julianne Bodner

Set Designer

Laura Helgeson

Costume Designer

Sam Kemp

Lighting Designer

Marcus Storey

Sound Design

Annie Craven

Assistant Director / Production Stage Manager

Evangel McGreene

Stage Crew

Meet the Company

Voni Kengla

Lizzie Borden
Voni Kengla - Lizzie Borden

Voni Kengla (she/her) is thrilled to take on the iconic role of Lizzie Borden! Past credits: Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins), My Fair Lady (Eliza Doolittle), Cabaret (Sally Bowles). Voni earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from The Hartt School and trained as part of the Acting Apprentice Company at Portland Playhouse. vonikengla.com

Jessica Tidd

Emma Borden
Jessica Tidd - Emma Borden

Jessica has been performing in the Portland area for over ten years, having been fortunate to work with many folks around town including Shaking the Tree, Defunkt, Portland Center Stage, Staged!, Anonymous, Lakewood and others. She is a former company member of Post5 Theatre where you may have seen her in numerous Shakespeare productions, was a core member of sketch team Spectravagasm, and is newly a member of Fuse Theatre, where she was most recently seen as Fromme in Assassins. Other late credits include Witch with Profile Theatre and the premiere production of Marvin’s Rescue at the Elyn Bye.

Tia Lempert

Alice Russell
Tia Lempert - Alice Russell

Tia Lempert is an actor and classically trained soprano based in Portland with a Bachelor in Music from Oregon State University. She has a background in musical theatre and opera and has been performing around the Portland area for many years. You may recognize her from NWCT’s Robin Hood (Maid Marian) and The Lightning Thief (Sally/Oracle), Stumptown Stage’s The Prom (Shelby) and Oliver (Bet), or Lakewood Center for the Arts' Groundhog Day (Joelle). Tia has competed in numerous national vocal competitions over the years, such as NATS and CS Music, and consistently receives high marks. She also teaches voice lessons and works for American Immersion Theatre as a birthday party princess. Tia is so excited to be a part of such a rockin’ show, acting alongside three other powerhouse women to tell this story. Follow along with her at tialempert.com or on instagram at @tialempertsoprano.

Ashley Moore

Bridget Sullivan
Ashley Moore - Bridget Sullivan

Ashley Moore is celebrating 11 years on the Portland stage with her second appearance as Bridget.  As a transplant from Pennsylvania she holds a BA in Acting from Temple University, where she trained alongside Academy Award winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers), and vocally trained with Tony nominee Forrest McClendon (The Scottsboro Boys). Notable roles include Nancy, Elizabeth Benning, and Trish (Oliver, Young Frankenstein & Kinky Boots; Stumptown Stages), Bridget Sullivan (Lizzie: The Musical; Chapel Theatre), Emily Tomb (A Tomb With A View; Lakewood), among others.

Emma Greene

Standby for Lizzie, Emma, Alice, and Bridget
Emma Greene - Standby for Lizzie, Emma, Alice, and Bridget

Emma Rose Greene (she/her) is a performer, singer, deviser, and teacher located in Portland, OR. She graduated with honors from Lewis & Clark College in 2024 and began teaching musical theatre to 4-6 year olds through Spotlight Musical Theatre Academy. Most recently, she performed and self produced Sarah DeLappe’s The Wolves this past spring. Previous credits include Perdita in Sue Mach's Madonna of the Cat at 21ten theatre, Waitress (Fir Acres Theatre Thesis Festival), and Rent (Fir Acres Theatre). Her upcoming roles include Karen in Mean Girls the Musical at Stumptown stages this January. She is so thrilled to help bring this beautiful show to life. She is so excited to be jumping into the wild and violent world of Lizzie.

Joshua Hegg

Conductor / Keys

Josh is thrilled to make those forty wacks sound as beautiful as they can! He is so honored to work with this amazing cast and crew! made his debut at Clackamas Repertory Theatre! Some past  Portland theater credits include pianist for A Chorus Line and Damn Yankees (Clackamas Repertory Theatre 2026, 2025) music direction and pianist for 8-Track: The Sounds of the '70s (Broadway Rose, 2025), Freedom: The Musical (Fertile Ground, 2024 & 2025), and conductor/pianist for Hair (Portland Center Stage, 2023). 

Attila Csikos

Guitar

Attila Csikos is a renowned jazz and session guitarist with years of experience in the music business. He has performed in various concerts and events, captivating audiences with his exceptional skills and passion for music. With a unique style and versatility, Attila has established himself as one of the industry's top guitarists. As a performer, he plays jazz festivals and clubs with his projects and contributes to different theater shows and rock-pop productions in the USA and Europe. This summer, he released his new album, Odd Times, a collaboration with singer Zsofia Tardy.

Juliet Terrill

Bass

Juliet Terrill is a lifelong bassist and multi instrumentalist currently based in Portland, Oregon. She has previously worked with gulf coast soul band The Suffers, her current band Juliet and the east, and many more.

Adam Carlson

Drums

Adam Carlson, Bend native, now lives in Portland as a freelance musician. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 2014 with a bachelors degree in Jazz Studies (Cum Laude), and has performed thousands of times around the Northwest. Adam also spent a year in New York City where he honed his playing style to include jazz, soul, latin, funk, rock, and pop. He has played drums on numerous albums, and has performed with many different Oregon and New York musicians, and University of Oregon faculty members. Adam also teaches private drum lessons: all ages, skill levels, and styles.

Mac Kastelic

Conductor / Keys Sub (11/5-8)

Mak Kastelic has proudly served the Portland Theater and Music communities as a director, performer and mad collaborative scientist for well over a decade. Mak is currently on staff at Resound NW and the resident Music Director for the Fuse Theater Ensemble, as well as a regular collaborator with Kimo Camat (Kiki & the Cuties). Recent stage productions include “Into the Woods” & “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Funhouse Lounge and “Assassins” with Fuse Theater Ensemble. Mak is also father to the cutest, bestest cat in the world and will not hear otherwise. 
 

Brandon Sause

Guitar Sub (10/16 & 10/29)

Max Tucker

Drums Sub (10/29, 11/5-6)

Max Tucker is a drummer, producer and educator living in Portland, Oregon.  He relocated to Portland in 2018 moving from NYC where he studied jazz at the New School and studied with master drummer, Michael Carvin. He is currently teaching drums and playing actively in the fertile Portland music scene. Tucker also leads the Artichoke Jazz Jam session at Artichoke Music every first Sunday from 2-4.   

Patrick Nims

Director / Co-Producer / Video Design

Patrick Nims has directed over 90 productions. Most recently, he directed FOLLIES for Sonoma Arts Live, THE PROM for Stumptown Stages, YOU STUPID DARKNESS for 21Ten, and SILENT SKY for Magenta Theatre. Favorites include CABARET, TINDERELLA (BWWORLD Best Director and Best Musical), DROOD, PETER & THE STARCATCHER, HEATHERS (BWWORLD Best Director and Best Musical), SPRING AWAKENING, CYRANO DE BERGERAC, and INTO THE WOODS (NYA Best Director). Upcoming projects include MEAN GIRLS for Stumptown Stages and FUNHOME for Twlight Theater Company. Pat thanks Marina for her incredible love, patience, and inspiration.

Diego Kjelland

Co-Producer

Diego Solan Kjelland is the Associate Artistic Director of Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre and is honored to be co-producing Lizzie with Marin Summer Theatre. Diego holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from the University of Montana and has spent the past four years working throughout Portland as a performer, director, educator, and arts administrator. Recent performance credits include Elvis (Broadway Rose), Pippin (Stumptown Stages), Bonnie & Clyde(Bridgetown Conservatory), It’s a Wonderful Life (Stumptown Stages), and Jersey Boys (Lakewood Center for the Arts). When he’s not onstage, Diego enjoys developing original musicals and helping create opportunities for the next generation of theatre artists. He is thrilled to share Bridgetown Conservatory’s programming for the upcoming 2027 season and hopes to see you in the classroom!

Joshua Hegg

Music Director

Josh is thrilled to make those forty wacks sound as beautiful as they can! He is so honored to work with this amazing cast and crew! made his debut at Clackamas Repertory Theatre! Some past  Portland theater credits include pianist for A Chorus Line and Damn Yankees (Clackamas Repertory Theatre 2026, 2025) music direction and pianist for 8-Track: The Sounds of the '70s (Broadway Rose, 2025), Freedom: The Musical (Fertile Ground, 2024 & 2025), and conductor/pianist for Hair (Portland Center Stage, 2023). 

Steven Hrubes

Choreographer

Steven Hrubes is proud to join Bridgetown Conservatory for Lizzie. Over the past 20 years, Steven has choreographed theater pieces of all sizes. His credits feature Newsies, Heathers, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Evil Dead: The Musical, Spring Awakening, and Fun Home. He is excited to bring the storytelling of movement to the stage for Lizzie. Steven is grateful to have been welcomed by the Portland community over the last four years and cherishes the friends made along the way. He looks forward to sharing this production with audiences.

Kelsey Nisbett

Choreographer

Kelsey Nisbett is pleased to be joining Bridgetown Conservatory as co-choreographer for Lizzie. Across diverse roles as performer and artist, Kelsey’s work is rooted in a love of movement and storytelling. She began training in tap and jazz at both Marvel's School of Dance and Pacific Dance Academy. She then studied at Loyola Marymount University’s film and theater programs, where she focused on modern and musical theater dance and performed in Kiss Me, Kate. While studying in Russia and Germany, she performed in Strider while training in ballet, stage movement, and the Stanislavsky and Brechtian methods at the Moscow Art Theater and Bonn Academy for International Education. Since completing her education, Kelsey has appeared in The Prom, Pippin, and Tootsie at Stumptown Stages as well as other productions such as Urinetown, Hairspray, Beauty and the Beast, Avenue Q, Fiddler on the Roof, Into the Woods, The Little Mermaid, and Legally Blonde across a wide range of theater companies on the West Coast. She is excited to bring that same experience and passion to this latest collaboration with the Bridgetown team!

Julianne Bodner

Set Designer

Julianne Bodner is a Portland-based Scenic Designer. Her designs have been seen across the Pacific Northwest, including at the Portland Opera, 21ten Theatre, Oregon Contemporary Theatre, Milagro Theatre, Stumptown Stages, Gather Repertory Theatre, Penguin Productions, Journey Theater, and Ten Fifteen Theater. Thank you for supporting live theatre!

Laura Helgeson

Costume Designer

Laura Helgeson | Costume Designer | She/her. Born and raised in rural Alaska, Laura moved to Portland in 2020 to pursue her B.F.A in Art Practices from Portland State University, specializing in costume and textile design. She currently divides her time between doing costume design for productions around Portland as well as acting as Lakewood Center for the Arts’ Wardrobe Manager. You may recognize her work from Guys and Dolls and The Prom (Stumptown Stages), Geography of a Horse Dreamer and A Design for Living (Imago Theatre), or Dracula and Groundhog Day: The Musical (Lakewood Theatre). She would like to give a special thank you to her roommate, Amelia, for  allowing their dining room to become an impromptu sewing studio. 

Sam Kemp

Lighting Designer

Samantha "Sam" Kemp is a Portland-based creator, artist, and lighting designer for live performance. Born and raised in the tiny town of Lindenhurst, New York before moving to Las Vegas in her adolescence, Sam has always managed to weasel her way into artful spaces despite cultural pressures to stick to the status quo. Design credits include The Glass Menagerie and Glass. Kill. Bluebeard. Imp. at Shaking The Tree, 8-Track: Sounds of the 70s and Hadestown at The Broadway Rose, Waking the Witch and The Raven with Renegade Opera, Racecar Racecar Racecar at Artists Repertory Theatre, Tiger Style! with Profile Theatre, and An Iliad and Recent Tragic Events with Third Rail Repertory Theatre.

Marcus Storey

Sound Design

Annie Craven

Assistant Director / Production Stage Manager

Annie Craven is a Portland based actor, director, and artist. Her acting credits include: Ride the Cyclone, Witch (Oregon Contemporary Theatre) The Wolves, Once, A Christmas Carol (University Theatre); She has also directed After the Revolution, A Girl in School Uniform (Walks Into a Bar) and Frank’s First Dance Recital. Annie graduated from the University of Oregon’s Theatre Arts program. She holds a BA, and an additional certificate from the Robert D. Clark Honors College. Additionally, Annie is a mentee at Third Rail Repertory Theatre. Follow her work at anniecraven.com or @annie.craven on Instagram.

Evangel McGreene

Stage Crew

Evangel holds a double B.A. in Spanish and Theater from The College of Idaho. Recent creative work includes stage managing Little Women (Magenta Theater), directing Hecuba on The Shore (Coho Theater), and costume design for Walden (21ten Theatre). Her foundational training spans Spolin and Linklater techniques with Portland Theatre Brigade and hands-on experience at NWCTS. Passionate about youth arts, Evangel teaches movement, devising, and stage makeup globally with Arts Ignite. They also bring theatrical flair to their roles as a specialty food tour guide, sommelier, and flight attendant.

Special Thanks

Marina Nims

Kirk Mouser

Stumptown Stages

Lakewood Theater Company

Demetri Pavlatos

Leah Yorkston

 Sampson 

Khayry Gonzalez

Michael Lindberg

Rocco Weyer

 

 

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