Dolginoff to Star in ArtsWest's Production of 'Thrill Me'

Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story, a dramatic musical about two of the most infamous murderers of the 20th century, opens at ArtsWest Feb. 28 with the playwright and composer Stephen Dolginoff in one of the two lead roles.

Nominated for two New York Drama Desk Awards, including Best Musical and named as one of the Best Plays of 2006 by the Chicago News-Star, Thrill Me is "based on the chilling tale of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two men who killed a young boy in 1924 simply to prove they were capable of committing the perfect crime. Dolginoff goes beyond the journalistic story of the events to focus instead on the obsession between the two perpetrators as their relationship descended from mutual sexual attraction into a dangerous criminal fixation," as the show is described in press materials.

In the Seattle premiere of Thrill Me, Dolginoff will take on the role of Nathan Leopold, a part he previously played in New York at the York Theatre. Playing opposite him as Richard Loeb is John Bartley, previously seen in several ArtsWest productions (including Blood Brothers and tick, tick…BOOM!) This two-person show is a riveting musical for mature audiences only, a show that was universally praised in its highly successful Off-Broadway run.

"I think that audiences seem to respond to different things," playwright/composer/actor Dolginoff said. "Some respond to the 'thriller' aspects of the show, some to the historical content,  and many people have told me that in a strange way, they see themselves in the relationship aspect of the show--almost as a cautionary tale. Thrill Me does ask the question: how far would you go for someone you loved?"

In addition, Dolginoff will be the keynote speaker during the ArtsWest OnStage event set for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26 at ArtsWest.  "The OnStage evening event will feature Dolginoff discussing the creation of this musical, his experiences in New York and around the country portraying one of the lead characters in his own show, and his involvement with ArtsWest's production in the role of Nathan Leopold. "

Tickets to the show are: $10 to $29 at (206) 938-0339 or www.artswest.org.  Tickets are $10 for those under 25.

After a special Opening Night on Wednesday, Feb. 28,  performances run Thursday through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and selected Saturdays through Sundays at 2 p.m. through March 24.