Dearest Lizzie: The Story of Lizzie Borden Through the Eyes of a Millhand
Set in Fall River, Massachusetts 10 years after the the brutal 1892 axe murders of Andrew and Abby Borden, the play explores the events leading up to the brutal 1892 axe murders as well as the highly publicized trial of Lizzie Borden.
A Millhand’s Tale of Lizzie Borden
Written by Fall River native Ray Carreiro in 1996, with a hauntingly beautiful score by Norihiko Hibino, Dearest Lizzie is a gripping dramatic musical that breathes new life into the infamous Lizzie Borden case.
Told through the eyes of Jonathan Graham, a millhand at the Troy Cotton Mill, the story unfolds a decade after the gruesome murders. As Jonathan pieces together the past, his memories reveal a tangled web of secrets, suspicion, and the lingering question—was Lizzie truly guilty, or was there more to the story than meets the eye?
Dearest Lizzie The Musical Cast
- Abby Borden: wife of Andrew (victim)
- Andrew Borden: father of Lizzie; victim
- Emma Lenora Borden: sister of Lizzie
- Lizzie Borden: The Accused
- Adelaide B. Churchill: Neighbor called over by Lizzie, testified
- Patrick Doherty: Fall River Policeman
- Dr. Dolan: Fall River Medical Examiner
- Hiram C. Harrington: Brother-in-law of Andrew
- Bridget Sullivan: Servant to Borden family, testified
- Miss Alice M. Russell: Friend of Lizzie and Emma
- Dr. Seabury Bowen: First Doctor to view bodies, testified
- Justin Dewey: Judge
- Andrew J. Jennings: Borden family attorney
- Jonathan Graham: Friend of Lizzie, a mill-hand
- A young doffer man: Narrator
Be Part of the Magic!
Audition for Dearest Lizzie The Musical.
We’re searching for passionate performers to bring Dearest Lizzie to life! Join us at one of our two casting calls and take your shot at becoming part of this thrilling production.
You’ll start with a casual interview to chat about your experience in musicals or film—no stress, just a chance to get to know you! Then, you’ll step into the spotlight and sing from a selection of 60 beloved musical numbers. Don’t worry about lyrics—we’ll provide them on the spot.
This is your moment—come show us what you’ve got!
April 26, 2025
10 am to 2 pm
May 3, 2025
10 am to 2 pm
SoCo Art Labs
145 Globe Street
Fall River MA 02724
SoCo Art Labs is in the Tuscan Building at the corner of Globe Street and King Street in Fall River’s southend.
Parking Info:
Enter the private parking lot from King Street. Park in the back, near the entrance to SoCo Art Labs.
About The Playwright
Raymond Carreiro
Raymond Carreiro graduated from Tiverton High School and is an alumnus of Bristol Community College in Fall River, MA. He founded the American Eastern Theater Company and worked as a Director, Producer, and Playwright. In 1996, he wrote a musical titled Dearest Lizzie. Inspired by Stephen Sondheim and Sweeney Todd, his vision was to create a play about Lizzie Borden.
Carreiro resides in Fall River, Massachusetts, the site of the infamous Borden murders. He began developing Dearest Lizzie as a musical, composing lyrics and portions of the melody. Norihiko Hibino, known for his work on video games such as Metal Gear Solid, provided the musical instrumentation, which is now located in Japan.
His sister, Mary Ann Thomas, contributed lyrics to four songs in the musical: “Everyone is Suspect,” “Innocent Girl,” “Let Him Go,” and “Finally Free.” In total, Carreiro wrote sixteen songs and developed the entire musical.
The only fictional character in the play is Jonathan Graham, a millhand. Dearest Lizzie begins in the Troy Cotton Mill, where Andrew Borden served on the Board of Directors. Carreiro is currently working on adapting the musical into an independent film, believing that the story remains relevant to the Fall River community and would provide compelling entertainment.
Our Sponsors
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible sponsors for their generous support of Dearest Lizzie: The Musical! Your contributions are bringing this independent film to life, and we couldn’t do it without you.
If you’d like to be part of this exciting journey—whether as a sponsor or by making a donation—we would love to hear from you! Please reach out to Ray Carreiro at 508-315-9467 or email [email protected]. Every contribution helps bring this musical to the big screen!
Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re interested in auditioning for a role in our independent film, becoming a valued sponsor, booking a media appearance, or just have general questions, we’re here to connect.
Reach out to us through our contact form—we can’t wait to chat with you and bring Dearest Lizzie: The Musical to life together!
- 508-315-9467
- [email protected]