A tale from history with a twist of artistic focus traces the hopes, fears, dreams and desires of Nathan Leopold. In flashback, Leopold tells the parole board how he and Richard Loeb planned what they considered to be the perfect crime — with horrifying results.
Exploring the power dynamics and manipulation between the two, Thrill Me features haunting music and taut dialogue as the complicated web created by Chicago’s Thrill Killers unfolds.
The show will be visiting Wharton Center at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13; 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14; and 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16.
Thrill Me has received Drama Desk Award nominations for Best Musical and Best Music, an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Best Off-Broadway musical, won an ASCAP Music Award and a Los Angeles Garland Award.
After its extended run in New York City, Thrill Me has been licensed for nearly 200 productions in 20 countries and 12 languages, including long-running versions in Seoul, Tokyo and Shanghai. The original London production transferred to the West End after a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Stephen Dolginoff is the author and composer of Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story. This Wharton Center theatre production is directed by Bert Goldstein, the director of Wharton Center Institute for Arts and Creativity.
It will feature New York-based actors Mark Ryan Anderson and Wayne Shuker.
Thrill Me is best suited for ages 15 and up, as it contains adult themes and situations. On Wednesday, Feb. 12, there is an After Chat immediately following the performance and at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, there is an Insight Preview.
Tickets are available at the official source to purchase Wharton Center tickets at whartoncenter.com, at the Auto-Owners Insurance Ticket Office or by calling 1-800-WHARTON. Tickets start at $35 and group and student discounts are available.