SA version of Thrill Me now on stage

Stephen Dolginoff’s internationally acclaimed murder-musical, Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story, is being staged at Theatre On The Bay until Saturday March 15.

Directed by Chris Weare, with musical direction and accompaniment by Jaco Griessel, the musical explores the true story of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, who were known as the “thrill killers”. The musical is based on the events that led to their murder of a young boy in 1924 Chicago.

Dolginoff, who played Leopold in the original off-Broadway production, spent years circling two diverse ideas that were taunting him. The one obsession was to compose a true to life crime musical, and the other was to focus his talents on creating a musical “about an intense, unusual relationship between two people”.

After much research, Dolginoff happened upon the story of Leopold and Loeb, and instantly set about melding the two desires into one dynamic and widely received story of twisted domination, manipulation and sexual pleasure.

South Africa will be the 26th country to produce the musical, and the 251st international version, which has been translated into 17 languages. Thrill Me has been running in South Korea for over 10 years.

Tickets cost from R150 to R250 through Webtickets or the Theatre On The Bay box-office on 021 438 3301. There is an age restriction of 16.