For Immediate Release: January 3, 2007
Media Contact: Roger Ricker, Media Theatre, 610.891.0100

Joshua Rivedal is looking forward to performing in The Media Theatre’s production of the musical “Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story” January 24-February 11. It’s hard to imagine any young actor who wouldn’t be ‘thrilled’ to perform in “Thrill Me”. The musical, which focuses on the two young men of 1924 Chicago’s privileged society who murdered an innocent teenager, allows an actor to, in Rivedal’s words, “accept a challenge and to move forward with personal growth as an artist”.

The subject matter of “Thrill Me” may seem strange to regular theatergoers. The story of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb is certainly not inclined to cause its creative team to come up with bold, splashy dance numbers ala “42nd Street”. But the art of music theatre, especially since the Great White Way embraced ‘serious’ subject matter in the last two decades of the 20th century with powerhouse Tony winners such as “Les Miserables” and “Miss Saigon”, has evolved from being something for the entire family into highlighting the darker aspects of human nature. This transition allows writers to explore territory within the realm of musical composition that would have generally been reserved for what many refer to as ‘a play’.

Joshua Rivedal said, “I studied at the Atlantic Theatre Acting School. The School was founded by David Mamet and William Macy. There you are taught that acting is doing and that 95% of acting is reacting. Since this is a two character musical, my focus is intensified. I look forward to the process.”

The ‘truth’ will be very important for the actors in “Thrill Me” at The Media Theatre since the audience will be seated only a few feet away from the performance space. The Media Theatre’s Artistic Director Jesse Cline explains, “The audience will have no escape from Leopold and Loeb during the 80 minute running time of the musical. We will have only 125 seats available for each performance of this piece. Those who purchase tickets will be seated onstage within the structure of ‘theatre-in-the-round’. There is no intermission, and the nature of the show is extremely thought provoking so we are planning group discussion forums following the performance with local attorneys and community leaders.”

“The material is of interest to attorneys due to the famous ‘plea for mercy’ summation Clarence Darrow gave at the end of the trial,” Cline explained. “Darrow presented strong arguments against capital punishment. He saved Leopold and Loeb from hanging.”

Rivedal added, “Doing a show in the round is exciting for me. I don’t have that experience very often. It is almost becoming one with the audience.”

Cline looks forward to working with Rivedal. “After directing Joshua in “Aida” this past October I began to appreciate his fine instincts as an actor. When a director casts a show there are always several names that come into your mind for each role. In this case, however, I kept coming back to Joshua after auditioning more than a hundred other actors. He will play Richard Loeb, with David Standish as Nathan Leopold. The difficulty in casting a two character show is that there must be a chemistry between the two and an ability to work much in the same way.”

Rivedal, in turn, looks forward to doing his third consecutive show in Media. “What other borough the size of Media can boast a professional theatre on the main street? It enhances the quality of life which in turn translates into economic benefits for the entire community.”

Cline continues, “One of the most intriguing things concerning the case of Leopold and Loeb is summed up by Nathan’s statement that ‘everything I did I did for Richard’. That’s how strong the connection was between the two of them. That’s how strong the two actors must be, especially with the audience seated so closely to the action.”

“We will not use microphones,” Cline said. “This is bare bones, soul-bearing theatre.”

Stephen Dolginoff wrote the music, lyrics, and book. The show received several Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Award nominations when it premiered off-Broadway two years ago. Dolginoff will be discussing his show following the performance on Sunday, January 28.

For tickets to “Thrill Me” call The Media Theatre at 610-891-0100 or visit www.mediatheatre.org. There are only 125 seats available for each performance of this Philadelphia Professional Premiere. This musical is intended for mature audiences.

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