Thrill Me

Thrill Me (longer title: Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story) is a two character Off-Broadway musical written by Stephen Dolginoff. It is based on the true story of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, the so-called "thrill killers," who murdered a young boy in 1924 in order to commit "the perfect crime." The script is published in paperback by Dramatists Play Service (www.dramatists.com) and the cast album was recorded by Original Cast Records (www.thrillmethemusical.com).

The show premiered in New York City at the Midtown International Theater Festival in 2003. The run was extended and all seven performances were sold out. The show then had its Off-Broadway premiere on 16 May 2005 at the York Theatre Company. It was extremely well-received throughout its New York run and was extended three times (with Dolginoff taking over the role of "Leopold" a few weeks into the run), finally closing on August 21, 2005. Since then, Thrill Me has had productions in Chicago at the Bailiwick Repertory Theatre, Dallas, Orlando, Tampa, Los Angeles, Seattle, Melbourne Australia, Boston, Richmond, and Philadelphia with more productions to follow in London, South Korea, upstate New York and Tennessee.

Awards & Nominations

• The New York/Off-Broadway Production was nominated for two Drama Desk Awards: Best Musical and Best Music Score (Stephen Dolginoff). (A song from "Thrill Me" was presented on the PBS broadcast of the ceremony.)

• The New York/Off-Broadway Production received an Outer Critic's Circle Award nomination for Best Off Broadway Musical.

• Stephen Dolginoff won an ASCAP Music Award for the "Thrill Me" score.

• The Boston production received 4 IRNE Award nominations including Best Production of a Musical.

• The Australian production (Melbourne) received 3 Green Room Award nominations including Best Staging of a Musical.

• The Chicago production received a Jeff Award recommendation.

Plot Summary

Relationships can be murder. THRILL ME: THE LEOPOLD & LOEB STORY is a two-character musical drama that recounts the chilling true story of the legendary duo who committed one of the most infamous and heinous crimes of the twentieth century. Focusing on their obsessive relationship, utilizing Leopold’s 1958 parole hearing as a framework, and featuring a shocking twist ending, THRILL ME reveals the series of events in 1924 Chicago that led about-to-be law students Leopold and Loeb to be forever remembered as “the thrill killers.”

It is 1958 at Joliet Prison, Illinois, where Nathan “Babe” Leopold faces the Parole Board for the fifth time. He tells them the facts of the “crime of the century” that sent him to prison thirty-five years earlier (WHY). But this time he reveals more than ever, hoping it will lead to his release. In his memory, he goes back to 1924 Chicago, where as a nineteen year old boy, he anxiously meets up with Richard Loeb, a classmate with whom he has shared friendship, sex and participation in minor crimes. Richard, who has been away at college, treats Nathan indifferently. Nathan begs to renew their relationship before separating again after the summer to attend different law schools (EVERYBODY WANTS RICHARD). Richard relents and allows Nathan to join in his activity for the evening – setting an abandoned warehouse on fire. In front of the blaze (NOTHING LIKE A FIRE), which arouses Richard, Nathan finally gets what he wants. The next day, Nathan implores Richard, who is voraciously reading Nietzsche, to stop the criminal activity. Instead Richard, now empowered by the theory of the Superman, threatens to drop Nathan completely unless they create A WRITTEN CONTRACT detailing that Richard will satisfy Nathan’s sexual needs only in exchange for Nathan’s expertise as his accomplice in petty crimes. Reluctantly, Nathan agrees. They sign in blood and their crime spree continues until Richard fails to live up to his end of the agreement (THRILL ME). Richard explains that he is bored with the misdemeanors and wants to commit a “superior” crime: the murder of a young boy (THE PLAN) and a phony ransom scheme after the killing. Richard insists that their intellect and meticulous plotting will prevent them from being caught. Nathan has no choice but to agree or risk Richard’s wrath. Back in 1958 at Joliet before the Parole Board, Nathan explains his feelings (WAY TOO FAR) as he recalls how Richard prepared the murder weapons and supplies: rope, a crowbar and a bottle of acid. Richard lures the victim by promising a ride in his ROADSTER. While cleaning up the murder scene, Richard extols the virtues of being SUPERIOR to a shaken Nathan. Back at Richard’s house they compose the bogus RANSOM NOTE and proceed with their plans. The next day, the newspapers reveal that, despite their careful planning, the body has been found. As a few more days go by, Nathan’s missing eye-glasses are discovered near the scene of the crime. While Nathan panics, Richard tries to calm him (MY GLASSES/JUST LAY LOW) over the phone. When the glasses are eventually traced to Nathan, Richard helps him concoct an emergency alibi and coaches him in how to answer the cops (I’M TRYING TO THINK). After Nathan is successful with the police, Richard declares their relationship over so he can protect his future as a lawyer. He reminds Nathan that everything would have been fine if the glasses hadn’t been dropped. Feeling betrayed, Nathan cuts a deal with prosecutors, turning in Richard in exchange for a lighter sentence. When arrested, Richard realizes there is no way out and works his charms on Nathan (KEEP YOUR DEAL WITH ME) by convincing him to give up the deal and accept the same punishment. While awaiting the penalty trail in his jail cell, Richard doesn't realize Nathan can hear him muttering to himself that he is truly AFRAID despite his strong façade. Thanks to the cunning strategies of their lawyer, Clarence Darrow, they escape the death penalty and are sentenced to prison. Behind bars, Nathan finally reveals his own shocking plan: fearing the loss of Richard, he went along with the murder but stayed one step ahead the entire time, even deliberately planting his glasses, knowing that all this would ensure his desire to be together forever, or at least for LIFE PLUS 99 YEARS. Now that the whole truth has finally been exposed, back at Joliet prison Nathan is granted parole. It is a bittersweet victory; since Richard was murdered by another inmate years before, Nathan must face the outside world alone (FINALE).

List of songs

As recorded on the Original Cast Album featuring Stephen Dolginoff and Doug Kreeger, available at www.thrillmethemusical.com:

1. Prelude
2. Why
3. Everybody Wants Richard
4. Nothing Like a Fire
5. A Written Contract
6. Thrill Me
7. The Plan
8. Way Too Far
9. Roadster
10. Superior
11. Ransom Note
12. My Glasses/Just Lay Low
13. I'm Trying to Think
14. Keep Your Deal With Me
15. Afraid
16. Life Plus 99 Years/Finale
17. Bows

The two stars of Thrill Me, Stephen Dolginoff ("Nathan Leopold") and Doug Kreeger ("Richard Loeb") performed the song "Superior" on the PBS national broadcast of the 51st Annual Drama Desk Awards in May of 2006. They were introduced by Harvey Fierstein. [1]

Reviews

• “Stephen Dolginoff's pocket musical about the Leopold and Loeb murder case lands like a well-placed punch, arresting and a bit breathtaking. Others have told the tale in plays and films, but there is something brazenly satisfying about Mr. Dolginoff's rendition. It’s a reminder that evil often looks and sounds beautiful. Credit the lean approach to the storytelling.” —New York Times.
• “Startling...Provocative...I can’t get enough of this...Will keep you spellbound…THRILL ME freezes the blood and keeps you wanting more!” —Rex Reed, NY Observer.
• “Stylish! With a noir attitude, THRILL ME is a two-character slice of pulp fact-fiction by intriguing storyteller Stephen Dolginoff.” —Linda Winer, NY Newsday.
• “A soaringly intense, propulsively melodic musical. Chillingly well-told, in all of its dark complexity.” —Gannet Newspapers.
• “Dangerously attractive...Powerful...Dolginoff is a smart craftsman with a knack for forging arresting tunes. The robust score is feverishly crafted.” —Star-Ledger.
• “A taut, compelling two-character musical. Stripping the event of the psychobabble that has surrounded it over the years, Dolginoff gets at the heart of it. The story sizzles.” —BackStage.
• “Dolginoff shows that unlikely musical subject matter can be mastered if the approach is strong enough. You will be intrigued.” —TheaterMania.com.
• “A brilliant, unforgettable musical...Sends chills down the spine. Uncompromising and intoxicating.” —Talkin’ Broadway.

External links

• Official site/CD Recording
• Dramatists Play Service "Thrill Me" Page w/Sound Clips
• New York Times Review
• York Theater Reviews
• Musicals101 Review
• Talkin' Broadway Review
• CurtainUp Review
• Edge Boston Feature Story
• Playbill Story
• Siegel Column Review
• Broadway World Review-Dallas Production
• Windy City Times Review-Chicago Production
• Joan Rivers meets the cast of Thrill Me
• Drama Desk Award "Thrill Me" Video Clip
• Theatremania Story-Dolginoff joins the cast
• Boston Production Review
• Cast Album Review