Thrill Me - The Leopold & Loeb Story [Cast Recording]

Stephen Dolginoff (Composer, Performer), Doug Kreeger (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Stephen Dolginoff, Doug Kreeger
• Composer: Stephen Dolginoff
• Audio CD (August 8, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Original Cast Record
• ASIN: B000F3IS7E
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,623 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Prelude

2. Why

3. Everybody Wants Richard

4. Nothing Like a Fire

5. A Written Contract

6. Thrill Me

7. The Plan

8. Way Too Far

9. Roadster

10. Superior

11. Ransom Note

12. My Glasses/Just Lay Low

13. I'm Trying To Think

14. Keep Your Deal With Me

15. Afraid

16. Life Plus 99 Years/Finale

17. Bows

Editorial Reviews

The Original 2005 Off-Broadway Cast Recording starring Stephen Dolginoff and Doug Kreeger.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "THRILL ME" IS NOTHING SHORT OF BRILLIANT!, March 23, 2007

By 

William S. Rothstein "William S. Rothstein" (St. Petersburg, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thrill Me - The Leopold & Loeb Story (Audio CD)

If the concept of turning the story of an infamous murder into a musical sounds bizarre...then you are not alone. But, that is exactly what "THRILL ME-THE LEOPOLD & LOEB STORY" does...and with overwhelming success! Through this two-character musical play, with 15 paper-thin, piano-accompanied songs, we learn of the intimate intricacies of one of the 20th century's most heinous and pointless crimes-the murder of a young boy by a mentally abused young man, and his older, manipulative lover. On the surface, THRILL ME is a crime story, but as we listen to the story, told through music, we realize that the murder is the sympton...and the disease of mental abuse, homophobia, and compulsive love. The stage is set when Nathan explains his actions in the songs, "Why" and "Everybody Wants Richard," two upbeat numbers with lots of background information. The seductive romanticism of the gripping "Nothing Like A Fire" quickly gives way to the crime plan, sickeningly explained in the nightmarish "Roadster." As the play reaches its fevered pitch with the realization that the perpetrators are about to be discovered ("My Glasses/Just Lay Low and "I'm Trying To Think), the two actors-Matthew S. Morris and Christopher Totten reach brilliant heights in their singing performances. Do not let the subject matter dissuade you from experiencing this music- THRILL ME in no way glorifies the hideous crimes of Leopold & Loeb. This is not a testament to their lives, but more an indictment of the sociological elements that led them to their fate.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting, November 12, 2006

By 

Jordan Michel (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thrill Me - The Leopold & Loeb Story (Audio CD)

I went to Uptown Players' (Dallas) production of Thrill Me last night not knowing what to expect. I'd studied "the thrill killers" in a psychology class in college and couldn't imagine what a musical about them might be like. But I'd read the rave reviews of the Off-Broadway production and didn't want to miss my chance to see the show.

The show is really not about the crime so much as it's about the relationship between the killers, Nathan and Richard. Richard is the type of guy who can get just about anyone to do whatever he wants. Nathan describes his seductive personality in what is, perhaps, the best song of the show, "Everybody Wants Richard." Nathan seems to be a victim of Richard's charm. And, it's this relationship that makes the show so engaging.

The music is beautiful and completely haunting. It's relatively simple, with only two vocalists and a piano, but it's really been sticking with me a lot more than most musicals I've seen. "Everybody Wants Richard," "Nothing Like a Fire," and "Thrill Me" are my personal favorites.

Generally, when I see a musical I like, I get the cd and listen over and over again. As I watched this show, however, I found it hard to imagine repeatedly listening to songs based on the true story of two killers. But the music was so good, I couldn't leave the theatre without buying a copy. There's one song, "Plan," that I usually skip; it discusses the crime in more depth than I really care to think about. "Roadster," the song during which Nathan lures the victim to his car is perhaps even more haunting, but too good to skip everytime.

If you don't trust me, read any review of the show you can find. I have yet to find a negative one.

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm Thrilled!, August 14, 2011

By 

Elizabeth - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Thrill Me - The Leopold & Loeb Story (Audio CD)

I got this CD after I heard one song from Thrill Me and loved it. It gave me chills with how beautiful the songs were. It's haunting tunes definitely stay with you. I saw the show in KC last year it was fantastic and I can't wait to see it again!