Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: "Thrill Me: The Leopold Loeb Story"

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tristanrobin
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Topic: "Thrill Me: The Leopold Loeb Story"
Posted: 8/27/08 at 4:54pm

I have a job offer to direct a production of the two man musical "Thrill Me: The Leopold Loeb Story." There isn't a lot of money involved Cry

, so it has to have something rewarding in the stead of cold hard cash Wink

Has anybody been involved in a production? I like the music okay - but the script seems kind of skimpy. What did you find exciting about it? What did you find NOT exciting at all about it?

I must say, I do like the idea of working with a cast of two - I love intimate pieces.

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sdolginoff
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Posted: 8/28/08 at 7:28am

This is Stephen Dolginoff, the author and composer of THRILL ME. There have been over 25 productions all over the world. The Off Broadway production was nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical and Best Music score and an Outer Critics Circle Award nom for Best Off Braodway musical. The most popular and longest running production to date is in Korea (check it out at www.thrillme.co.kr) it is in the middle of it's second six month run there right now, it is the size and scope of a Broadway-style show. It opened last night in New Orleans (I am reading the reviews right now from the director!) and will open in October in Greece and next year in Tokyo and Toronto. Domestically it has played nearly every major US City (including TWO in Chicago). Earlier this year there were productions in Los Angeles (check out havoktheatre.com) and San Francisco. I have had the pleasure of Playing Nathan Leopold in New York City, Seattle, St. Peteersburg FL, and Buffalo NY. I have also traveled the country (and soon will go to Korea finally) and met directors and actors from various productions. Most casts and crews seem to always find it a very rewarding experience. The first college production (in New Jersey) was early this year and the director told me it "changed the life" of a rather troubled student cast as "Nathan" (that's hard to imagine! but that is what he said). I think you will find the script deceptive. It may seem "short" but it is anything but "skimpy" the emotional gamut the actors (especially nathan) have to play are extremely challenging. Since there are no applause breaks the pianist has a big challenge, as does the lighting designer (to make sure no one tries to clap) as for the actors, Nathan never leaves the stage, and Richard only has breif breaks--very challenging. Then again I have seen a few productions where the material was just rushed through, songs too fast, dialogue too fast, no room to breathe, and to me it just wasn't as good. As long as the show is around 85 minutes, it should work like a charm. Bear in mind, the piano score is VERY DIFFICULT. Without someone great at the piano a lot of the excitment built into the score can be diminished. Tell me....where are you thinking of directing it (what City/Theatre)? You can feel free to contact me at sdolginoff at aol dot com. Best of luck! Stephen

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sdolginoff
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Posted: 8/28/08 at 9:07am

P.S. You can take a look at some clips and interviews I have done, as well as scenes from the Korean Version, the Drama Desk Award performance and clips from some regional productions by searching under "THRILL ME LEOPOLD" on youtube.com

Best of luck!

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tristanrobin
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Posted: 8/28/08 at 11:18am

Wow - talk about getting insight and tips from the horse's mouth himself!

I haven't seen a score yet - only a libretto; and I only know the music from the CD (which is wonderful). I assume from your comments, it is sung/played through.

If it comes off, it will be done through Alliance Theatre in New Haven, CT. There haven't been any productions in the area yet. I like the idea of doing a play new to the audiences, rather than following Longwharf and Yale Rep and Goodspeed Opera with copies of THEIR productions.

Thanks so much for responding (I love Google alerts! LOL). If we decide to proceed, I am going to take you up on your offer and contact you in order to pick your brain! Wink

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sdolginoff
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Posted: 8/28/08 at 11:37am

It is not sung through or played through. It's a traditional book show with dialogue and songs. However there is a lot of underscore and no applause breaks. On The CD each song ends with a button or something, but in the actual show it all flows together. So there is never a break for applause until the end, this puts a lot of responsibility on the pianist.

I would say the closest productions to CT have been Boston (2005), Philadelphia (2007), and of course New York.

Glad you enjoyed the CD. That was a true labor of love. I never imagined singing on it myself!!!!!

Best of luck and keep me posted. If you end up doing it I'll try to come and see it. Let me know if there is any further information I can provide you with.

-Stephen Dolginoff
www.thrillmethemusical.com

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JohnnyOneNote
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Posted: 8/31/08 at 8:24am

I have loved this show since I first heard the snippets on Dramatists.

I just HAD to order the script and CD.

I have tried to get our area to take a look at it, they can't get past the murder of a child even though you never SEE the child. But they had no problem doing Medea and killing off those kids with blood covering the stage - go figure. :)

I am trying to tell them what a fantastic Competition piece this would make for our regions play festival. (southeast)

My only complaint:

I just wish the characters were older so this 45 yo (who looks more like 30's) could play one of the roles. :)

But I would be honored to direct it. Which of course I haven't yet, but have directed it in my mind 100 times. Each time I listen and read it, I find something new, somthing haunting, something funny, something awakening if you can call it that.

The subject matter doesn't seem to want to DO that, but it does. (If that makes any sense)

I wouldn't think 2 seconds. YES would be coming from my mouth before the question was even asked if I was asked to direct Thrill Me!

Since the "Horses Mouth" is right here. I have say BRAVO for being brave enough to write something so powerful.

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sdolginoff
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Posted: 8/31/08 at 2:46pm

Thank you for your comments. I can tell you that I certainly wasn't 19 when I played "Nathan Leopold" and remember since we see Nathan as an Older man in the prologue, etc (and he sings WHY and WAY TOO FAR as the older version), it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility for someone your age to play the part. As long as the actor cast as Loeb didn't look too young. I have seen it done with actors on the younger side and actors on the older side, and I always think it is better with slightly older actors. Theatre is illusion, right?

If you need help convinving the theatre in your area, please let me know. I have clippings, press releases and reviews from theatres all over the country (actually, the world) and they would probably be surprised how it plays in even the most conservative of areas. (You say you are in the South East?--It has played Richmond VA, St. Pete FL, Orlando and New Oreleans already) Pitch it to them as a "thriller" like a musical DEATHTRAP. Although not so clear in the musical, in real life Leopold and Loeb were 18-19 and they killed a 14 year old. Practically a peer -- as opposed to two grown men killing a very small child. Maybe it makes no difference, but I suppose it's worth the shot.

Best regards,
The Horse's Mouth (Stephen Dolginoff)

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Author	Message
tristanrobin Celebrity Joined: 4/25/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 704	Topic: "Thrill Me: The Leopold Loeb Story" Posted: 8/27/08 at 4:54pm
	I have a job offer to direct a production of the two man musical "Thrill Me: The Leopold Loeb Story." There isn't a lot of money involved , so it has to have something rewarding in the stead of cold hard cash Has anybody been involved in a production? I like the music okay - but the script seems kind of skimpy. What did you find exciting about it? What did you find NOT exciting at all about it? I must say, I do like the idea of working with a cast of two - I love intimate pieces.

	IP Logged

sdolginoff Walk-On Joined: 8/28/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 8/28/08 at 7:28am
	This is Stephen Dolginoff, the author and composer of THRILL ME. There have been over 25 productions all over the world. The Off Broadway production was nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical and Best Music score and an Outer Critics Circle Award nom for Best Off Braodway musical. The most popular and longest running production to date is in Korea (check it out at www.thrillme.co.kr) it is in the middle of it's second six month run there right now, it is the size and scope of a Broadway-style show. It opened last night in New Orleans (I am reading the reviews right now from the director!) and will open in October in Greece and next year in Tokyo and Toronto. Domestically it has played nearly every major US City (including TWO in Chicago). Earlier this year there were productions in Los Angeles (check out havoktheatre.com) and San Francisco. I have had the pleasure of Playing Nathan Leopold in New York City, Seattle, St. Peteersburg FL, and Buffalo NY. I have also traveled the country (and soon will go to Korea finally) and met directors and actors from various productions. Most casts and crews seem to always find it a very rewarding experience. The first college production (in New Jersey) was early this year and the director told me it "changed the life" of a rather troubled student cast as "Nathan" (that's hard to imagine! but that is what he said). I think you will find the script deceptive. It may seem "short" but it is anything but "skimpy" the emotional gamut the actors (especially nathan) have to play are extremely challenging. Since there are no applause breaks the pianist has a big challenge, as does the lighting designer (to make sure no one tries to clap) as for the actors, Nathan never leaves the stage, and Richard only has breif breaks--very challenging. Then again I have seen a few productions where the material was just rushed through, songs too fast, dialogue too fast, no room to breathe, and to me it just wasn't as good. As long as the show is around 85 minutes, it should work like a charm. Bear in mind, the piano score is VERY DIFFICULT. Without someone great at the piano a lot of the excitment built into the score can be diminished. Tell me....where are you thinking of directing it (what City/Theatre)? You can feel free to contact me at sdolginoff at aol dot com. Best of luck! Stephen
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sdolginoff Walk-On Joined: 8/28/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 8/28/08 at 9:07am
	P.S. You can take a look at some clips and interviews I have done, as well as scenes from the Korean Version, the Drama Desk Award performance and clips from some regional productions by searching under "THRILL ME LEOPOLD" on youtube.com Best of luck!
	IP Logged

tristanrobin Celebrity Joined: 4/25/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 704	Posted: 8/28/08 at 11:18am
	Wow - talk about getting insight and tips from the horse's mouth himself! I haven't seen a score yet - only a libretto; and I only know the music from the CD (which is wonderful). I assume from your comments, it is sung/played through. If it comes off, it will be done through Alliance Theatre in New Haven, CT. There haven't been any productions in the area yet. I like the idea of doing a play new to the audiences, rather than following Longwharf and Yale Rep and Goodspeed Opera with copies of THEIR productions. Thanks so much for responding (I love Google alerts! LOL). If we decide to proceed, I am going to take you up on your offer and contact you in order to pick your brain!
	IP Logged

sdolginoff Walk-On Joined: 8/28/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 8/28/08 at 11:37am
	It is not sung through or played through. It's a traditional book show with dialogue and songs. However there is a lot of underscore and no applause breaks. On The CD each song ends with a button or something, but in the actual show it all flows together. So there is never a break for applause until the end, this puts a lot of responsibility on the pianist. I would say the closest productions to CT have been Boston (2005), Philadelphia (2007), and of course New York. Glad you enjoyed the CD. That was a true labor of love. I never imagined singing on it myself!!!!! Best of luck and keep me posted. If you end up doing it I'll try to come and see it. Let me know if there is any further information I can provide you with. -Stephen Dolginoff www.thrillmethemusical.com
	IP Logged

JohnnyOneNote Walk-On Joined: 2/18/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Posted: 8/31/08 at 8:24am
	I have loved this show since I first heard the snippets on Dramatists. I just HAD to order the script and CD. I have tried to get our area to take a look at it, they can't get past the murder of a child even though you never SEE the child. But they had no problem doing Medea and killing off those kids with blood covering the stage - go figure. :) I am trying to tell them what a fantastic Competition piece this would make for our regions play festival. (southeast) My only complaint: I just wish the characters were older so this 45 yo (who looks more like 30's) could play one of the roles. :) But I would be honored to direct it. Which of course I haven't yet, but have directed it in my mind 100 times. Each time I listen and read it, I find something new, somthing haunting, something funny, something awakening if you can call it that. The subject matter doesn't seem to want to DO that, but it does. (If that makes any sense) I wouldn't think 2 seconds. YES would be coming from my mouth before the question was even asked if I was asked to direct Thrill Me! Since the "Horses Mouth" is right here. I have say BRAVO for being brave enough to write something so powerful.
	IP Logged

sdolginoff Walk-On Joined: 8/28/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 8/31/08 at 2:46pm
	Thank you for your comments. I can tell you that I certainly wasn't 19 when I played "Nathan Leopold" and remember since we see Nathan as an Older man in the prologue, etc (and he sings WHY and WAY TOO FAR as the older version), it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility for someone your age to play the part. As long as the actor cast as Loeb didn't look too young. I have seen it done with actors on the younger side and actors on the older side, and I always think it is better with slightly older actors. Theatre is illusion, right? If you need help convinving the theatre in your area, please let me know. I have clippings, press releases and reviews from theatres all over the country (actually, the world) and they would probably be surprised how it plays in even the most conservative of areas. (You say you are in the South East?--It has played Richmond VA, St. Pete FL, Orlando and New Oreleans already) Pitch it to them as a "thriller" like a musical DEATHTRAP. Although not so clear in the musical, in real life Leopold and Loeb were 18-19 and they killed a 14 year old. Practically a peer -- as opposed to two grown men killing a very small child. Maybe it makes no difference, but I suppose it's worth the shot. Best regards, The Horse's Mouth (Stephen Dolginoff)
	IP Logged