John McMartin and Stephen Bogardus Join Cast of THRILL ME: THE LEPOLD & LOEB STORY

John McMartin and Stephen Bogardus will be the voices of Nathan Leopold's Parole Board in The York Theatre Company production of THRILL ME: THE LEOPOLD & LOEB STORY, which stars Matt Bauer and Doug Kreeger. Directed by Tony-Award winner Michael Rupert, this new musical, based on the infamous 1924 Leopold and Loeb murder case, begins performances May 16, 2005 and is scheduled to open on May 26 at the Company’s home at Saint Peter’s, Citigroup Center, 619 Lexington Avenue (at 54th Street). Musical direction is by Eugene Gwozdz.

Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story is a new musical drama that recounts the chilling tale of the legendary duo who committed one of the most infamous and heinous crimes of the 20th Century. Set in 1924 Chicago, it chronicles the events that led childhood friends Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb to forever be remembered as “the thrill killers.” The play premiered at the 2003’s Midtown International Theatre Festival, produced by Jim Kierstead, to an extended and sold out run of seven performances. The York production has sets by James Morgan, costumes by Jennifer Paar and lighting by Thom Weaver.

Stephen Dolginoff’s previous credits include One Foot Out The Door (Backstage Bistro Award for Outstanding Book, Music and Lyrics), Most Men Are, and a musical version of Jules Verne’s classic Journey To The Center Of The Earth, which premiered in Kansas City and was later produced in St Louis followed by a tour and a MAC nominated cast album. His first musical Beauty Sleep was produced by NYU where he received a BFA in Dramatic Writing. He was commissioned to write and compose producer Pierre Cossette’s planned Broadway musical The Body Ventura, and is currently writing the musical Panic, the story behind Orson Welles’ infamous ‘War of the Worlds’ radio broadcast. Dolginoff has won seven ASCAPlus Awards for his work in musical theatre.

The York Theatre Company is the only theater in New York City – and one of very few in the world – dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals, and preserving neglected, notable shows from the past. For more than three decades, York’s intimate, imaginative style of producing both original and neglected classic musicals has resulted in critical acclaim and recognition from artists and audiences alike. More than 20 cast recordings from York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD, and commercial transfers of such York productions as The Musical of Musicals – The Musical!, Jolson & Company, Sweeney Todd, and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs. Its hit productions of Souvenir and The Musical of Musicals – The Musical! were developed in the York Theatre Company’s Developmental Reading Series, where the current Tony Award-winning Broadway hit, Avenue Q, also started.

Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story will run May 16 to June 25 on the following schedule: Monday through Thursday evenings at 8 pm; Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:30 pm; Matinees Wednesday at 2:30pm, Saturday at 5:00pm. (Note: Special Sun. performance May 22 at 5:00pm; No Performances Tues. May 17 & Mon. May 23).

THRILL ME is produced in association with Jim Kierstead.

Tickets are $55. Student tickets are available on the day of the performance for $20, subject to availability. Tickets are available at Smarttix.com, (212) 868-4444, or in person at the box office on the lower level at Saint Peter’s, 619 Lexington Avenue (enter at 54th). For further information, visit www.yorktheatre.org and www.thrillmethemusical.com