BWW Reviews: 1st Stage Offers Tour-de-Force with NEVER THE SINNER

Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb had a simple plan: prove themselves to be super men and commit the perfect crime. After all, they were smarter than everyone else and they worked as the perfect team. They held fast to Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophy of the übermensch or over man. Leopold was convinced both he and his close friend - with an emphasis on the word "close" - were prime examples of the übermensch.

The brutal murder of 14-year old Bobby Franks in May, 1924, shocked Chicago society. A massive manhunt followed and Leopold and Loeb quickly emerged as prime suspects. Once they were arrested, prosecutor Robert Crowe sought swift justice and insisted on the death penalty for the unremorseful pair. Crowe faced strong opposition from legendary defense counsel Clarence Darrow. Not one of Darrow's clients had been sentenced to the gallows. If he could help it, Leopold and Loeb would keep his record spotless.

During one of the first court cases known as a "trial of the century," Darrow got 19-year old Leopold and 18-year old Loeb to change their plea from 'not guilty' to 'guilty' in a bold move that sent the jury home so the verdict rested solely on the presiding judge. Their hubris and blind devotion propelled them into the spotlight and into prison. They were each sentenced to life plus 99 years for the murder of Franks.

The sordid tale of Leopold and Loeb is the subject of Never the Sinner, one of John Logan's first plays, now receiving a strong production at 1st Stage in Tysons.

Never the Sinner is carefully crafted for maximum value from start to finish. It breaks the mold of a standard courtroom drama, offering a prismatic view of the murderous lovers. As directed by Jeremy Skidmore, Never the Sinner is a winning blend of theatrical bravura, sexual tension, calculating criminals, and period flair.

John Logan is one of the finest writers for the stage and screen working today. Red (about artist Mark Rothko) won the Best Play Tony Award and came to Arena Stage last season. His work for "The Aviator" and "Gladiator" earned Oscar nominations for best original screenplay. Logan wrote Never the Sinner in 1988, as a Northwest University student.

Never the Sinner has been placed in good hands with Jeremy Skidmore, a director who has made his mark with contemporary works, such as New Jerusalem (Theater J), My Name is Asher Lev (Round House), Angels in America (Forum), and Dirty Blonde (Signature). With simplicity and straight forward creativity, Skidmore sets the play in a neutral space that serves as an old-time radio studio and the other locations needed to tell the story. The non-linear style of Logan's text suits Skidmore's subtle period touches to a Model-T. The ensemble members quietly observe the action and step in to comment as reporters or serve as Foley artists as needed.

Skidmore's collaborators also serve the needs of the play with artful skill, especially the sound design of Eric Shimelonis and Brian S. Allard's distinctive lighting design. Laree Lentz's period costumes get the job done with high style, along with the scenic design of Robbie Hayes.

Using the text and tools at their disposal, Sun King Davis, Amber Jackson and Adam Downs serve as reporters, sound effects technicians and even as a Greek chorus; they make a strong ensemble.

Squaring off in the courtroom, Eric Lucas and Michael Kramer make a formidable pair of attorneys. Lucas is the exacting and determined prosecutor Robert Crowe. Clarence Darrow may have appeared like a laid-back country lawyer, but there was fire in his soul as he defended clients great and small. Kramer shows both the homey nature and the brilliant legal mind of Clarence Darrow throughout his performance.

The bond between Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb is the true focus of Never the Sinner. As he worked on the play some 25 years ago, Logan described the heart of the play as "a very dark, very serpentine love story." Thank you, Mr. Logan; I couldn't have said it better myself.

Stephen Russell Murray, as Leopold, and Alex Mandell, as Loeb, give tour-de-force performances in Never the Sinner. They personify the dark romance described by the playwright.

Murray's Leopold is clearly smitten with Loeb from their first entrance. You believe Nathan would do anything for Richard. By contrast, Mandell's Loeb is the alpha male, the true übermensch; he has feelings for Nathan - even calls him "Babe" - but he wants Leopold on his own terms.

Locking eyes with each other, taking a spin on the dance floor, speaking volumes with just a withered glance or withering look, Murray and Mandell are perfectly matched and make a match made in Hell. The two actors peel the layers away of character and intention and it makes for fascinating theatre.

You can relive Leopold and Loeb's twisted love story and their trial of the century for just a few short weeks at 1st Stage in Tysons. What are you waiting for?

NEVER THE SINNER - by John Logan. Directed by Jeremy Skidmore. Set design: Robbie Hayes; Sound: Eric Shimelonis; Costumes: Laree Lentz; Lighting: Brian S. Allard; Choreography: Matthew Gardiner.

Cast: Leopold - Stephen Russell Murray; Loeb - Alex Mandell; Reporter #1 - Sun King Davis; Reporter #2 - Amber Jackson; Reported #3 - Adam Downs; Crowe - Eric Lucas; Darrow - Michael Kramer.

NEVER THE SINNER

March 22-April 14, 2013

Fridays, 8 pm; Saturdays, 2 and 8 pm; Sundays, 2 and 7 pm.

1st Stage Theatre: 1524 Spring Hill Road, McLean, VA 22102

Phone: (703) 854-1856. For tickets, click HERE.

For more information, click HERE.

PHOTO CREDIT: Teresa Castracane/1st Stage

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