Burlesque Star Sapphire Jones Leads Blue Coyote's NANCE O'NEIL, Opens 9/15

Blue Coyote Theater Group announces casting for their upcoming World Premiere production of Nance O'Neil, written by David Foley and directed by Gary Shrader.

Rachel Brown, well known as the Burlesque performer Sapphire Jones, plays the title role of Nance O'Neil. Jonna McElrath (David Johnston's Conversations on Russian Literature, Oresteia and Busted Jesus Comix) plays the infamous Lizzie Borden. Frank Anderson (NYITA Award nominee for Best Actor for The Return of Peter Grim) plays showbiz impresario McKee Rankin, Nance's manager. Jane Titus (Winchester House with Ma Yi Theatre) rounds out the cast as Lizzie's sister Emma.

The design team includes lighting design by Christopher Weston and set design by Robert Monaco

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?

Nance O'Neil, written by David Foley and directed by Gary Shrader, 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.