Definitely one of the more unusual musicals this season is the Off-Broadway drama Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story . The work tells of the infamous "thrill-killers"- Nathan Leopold (Matt Bauer) and Richard Loeb (Doug Kreeger) who committed a crime in 1924 that horrified the nation, the brutal murder of 14-year-old Bobby Franks. What could have driven these two young and very privileged men to do what they did? (Loeb was 18 at the time, Leopold, 19.) That's the question Thrill Me tries to answer.
Close friends (and more), the awkward, soft-spoken Leopold is deeply infatuated with Loeb, a charismatic, arrogant sociopath who is himself infatuated with setting fires and criminal mischief. Leopold struggles between his revulsion and fear of breaking the law and his longing for Loeb, but as the work progresses, the pair begin to symbiotically feed off each other's desires with ever-increasing ferocity- Loeb, who breaks the law for the highs it gives him; and Leopold, who satisfies his desperate need for Leopold once Loeb reaches that high. It's not too long before Loeb is bored with simple arson or burglary, and comes up with the ultimate crime: plotting and committing the perfect murder.
Told on a very intimate scale with two actors, with no real set other than a few cubes, boxes and props, and with very subdued lighting, one almost feels an eyewitness to the duo's actions. In a shrewd move, this mostly brisk piece (85 minutes long without an intermission) doesn't allow time for any applause breaks after the various musical numbers, thereby increasing the tension of the work.
Kreeger is revoltingly appealing as Loeb who, thanks in part to his strong belief in the writings of the 19th century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, thinks both he and Leopold are a breed of "supermen;" ones beyond the reach of society's laws and such basic human conditions as good and evil.
But as the play shows, these two are no supermen.
Kreeger is at his best with Richard's absolute refusal to believe he will be punished, even when his plans are coming apart around him; as well as showing Loeb's rare moments of weakness (such as crying in his jail cell when he thinks no one can hear).
Bauer has the greater challenge with the desperately needy Leopold through whose eyes the story is told, but carries it off well, with emotions ranging from fear and terror, to delight when Richard submits to him, to a dark desire that Loeb stay with him forever. It's this understated approach that leaves one guessing just who was really in control of events.
Book music and lyrics by Stephen Dolginoff are excellent, with some very haunting melodies and lyrics. Direction by Michael Rupert works well for the most part, with the only complaint being that it takes a few minutes for the chemistry between the two actors to kick in, resulting in a bit of a slow start to the work. But once things start moving, it's a very interesting ride.
Music direction by Eugene Gwozdz (who's also the show's pianist) works well. Also featuring the voices of Stephen Bogardus, John McMartin and Michael Rupert.
Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story
York Theatre Company
619 Lexington Avenue
Tickets: $55.00
Reservations: 212-868-4444 or www.smarttix.com
Running Time: Approximately 85 minutes
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