Jo Parsons is swapping lead roles in the critically acclaimed, award-winning musical Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story as it returns to London, at Greenwich Theatre from yesterday 8 April, and tours the UK for the very first time. The London press night is set for tonight, April 9. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the stars onstage below!
Thrill Me, with book, music, and lyrics by Stephen Dolginoff, is based on the true story of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, the so-called "thrill killers" who murdered a young boy in 1924 in order to commit "the perfect crime." It was the final case for crusading defence and human rights lawyer Clarence Darrow, currently being played by Kevin Spacey in an acclaimed one-man show at the Old Vic.
Jo Parsons will swap roles and now play Nathan, while Richard will be played by Ben Woods, who takes over from Danny Colligan, who recently made his West End debut in The Book of Mormon.
Told in flashbacks, beginning with a 1958 parole hearing, Thrill Me examines the relationship between Leopold and Loeb - both wealthy, normal and intelligent Chicago students, about to start training to become lawyers. We are taken on a journey of two young men, one who believed he was above the law - obsessed and fuelled by the philosophy of Nietzsche to the point he believed he was a 'Superman' beyond good and evil. The other - a loner - became a willing accomplice, empowering Loeb in his crimes. His reward - Richard's time, attention and conditional love. Together, they both believed they had perpetrated the perfect crime, or was one more certain than the other?
After premiering at Greenwich Theatre, Wednesday 8 April - Saturday 18 April, Thrill Me will tour to The Lowry Salford, Friday 8 May & Saturday 9 May; Old Rep, Birmingham, Friday 22 May & Saturday 23 May; The Mumford Theatre, Cambridge Wednesday 3 June; Eden Court, Inverness Friday 5 June; Square Chapel, Halifax Saturday 6 June; and Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon, Sunday 7 June. More dates will be added.
Creative team: Director Guy Retallack, Musical Director Tom Turner, Designer James Turner, Lighting Designer & Producer Richard Williamson, Climar Productions (Producer), Greenwich Theatre Associate Producer, Casting Director Anne Vosser. It is produced by Richard Williamson and CliMar Productions in association with Greenwich Theatre.
For more about the production, visit www.thrillme-uk.com.
Photo Credit: Nick Rutter
Ben Woods (left) as Richard Loeb Jo Parsons (right) as Nathan Leopold
Ben Woods (left) as Richard Loeb Jo Parsons (right) as Nathan Leopold
Jo Parsons (left) as Nathan Leopold Ben Woods (right) as Richard Loeb
Ben Woods (left) as Richard Loeb Jo Parsons (right) as Nathan Leopold
Jo Parsons as Nathan Leopold
Ben Woods as Richard Loeb
Jo Parsons (left) as Nathan Leopold Ben Woods (right) as Richard Loeb
Ben Woods as Richard Loeb
Jo Parsons as Nathan Leopold
Ben Woods (left) as Richard Loeb Jo Parsons (right) as Nathan Leopold
Ben Woods (left) as Richard Loeb Jo Parsons (right) as Nathan Leopold
Ben Woods (left) as Richard Loeb Jo Parsons (right) as Nathan Leopold
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