Review
CRITIC’S PICK
Thrill Me:
The Leopold and Loeb Story
Hudson Backstage Theatre
Theatre Row
Open ended engagement

Tragic true-to-life crimes and their perpetrators make great operas and musicals, such as Kander and Ebb’s Chicago, in which two women are glorified for their misbehavior. Equally effective is Stephen Dolginoff’s Thrill Me, about two male criminals, now playing at the Hudson Backstage Theatre and a premiere for the newly formed Havoc Theatre
Company.

Thrill Me does not fall into the category of musical comedy, but rather tragic folk opera. Meticulously directed by Nick DeGruccio, Thrill Me gives us the two masterminds Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two young gay lovers who formed an unusual pact to commit crime in exchange for sex in 1924. University of Chicago graduates both and studying law, they were fans of Nietzsche and thought themselves supermen who could only commit the perfect crime. Crimes started with arson, robbery and the ultimate was the kidnapping and murder of young Bobby Franks that led to their arrest. Theirs was the Trial of the Century and the infamous Clarence Darrow who opposed capital punishment served as defense attorney. It was he who got them life instead of death. But in the end, was it worth it? Did they really get what they wanted? Leopold’s reflection on the deed tells all.

The musical chronicles every aspect of their friendship, beginning with first attraction through their strange pact in blood and on to every sordid detail of the crimes, told in flashback through the eyes of Leopold (Stewart W. Calhoun) as he faces the parole board in 1958. It was he who was so intensely attracted to Richard Loeb (Alex Schemmer) that he allowed himself to become a victim. Loeb was an uncaring schemer who used Leopold to assist him, but then Leopold used Loeb for sexual gratification. Alas, both boys were responsible for their actions. What is most riveting and exciting about the 80-minute one-act is witnessing how passion, so innocent at first, bursts out of control.  As each sings to the other of “a warm romantic fire” or “the heart is a muscle I can’t explain”, one can feel the intensity of the passion as it grows feverishly and violently. Thrill Me is a deeply moving experience.

Talk about perfect. Both Calhoun and Schemmer are beautiful to look at and play the drive, lust and excitement of the moment . DeGruccio has paced the action perfectly, with close attention to each minute detail. Dolginoff alone wrote the book, lyrics and music. The music and lyrics are ferociously appealing and, as should be the case in a good musical, move the story forward. It all comes off believably, without superficialities or  falsehoods. “Life plus Ninety-Nine Years” is a good example of a song that is a realistic fit, as it is the title of Leopold’s 1958 autobiography. Thrillingly real, Thrill Me enthralls. Don’t miss it!

5 out of 5 stars