The pre-recorded voices of McMartin and Bogardus — playing members of the Parole Board — will be part of the production, which begins previews May 16 prior to an official opening May 26.
Directed by Tony Award winner Michael Rupert, Thrill Me, as previously announced, will co-star Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' Matt Bauer and Good Vibrations's Heath Calvert. Bauer will play Nathan Leopold and Calvert will be Richard Loeb in the new musical, which will run through June 25.
Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story premiered in 2003 as part of the Fourth Annual Midtown International Theatre Festival in New York City. The musical features book, music and lyrics by Stephen Dolginoff; Eugene Gwozdz will be the musical director for the York run. The remainder of the creative team comprises James Morgan (set design), Thom Weaver (lighting design) and Jennifer Paar (costume design).
The musical drama, according to production notes, "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.'"
Perhaps best known for his work as Whizzer in William Finn's March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland (which were combined to form Broadway's award-winning Falsettos), Bogardus' other New York theatre credits include King David, The Grapes of Wrath, Les Misérables, West Side Story and the City Center Encores! productions of Allegro and Sweet Adeline. The actor was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in Love! Valour! Compassion! A five-time Tony nominee for his work in Sweet Charity, Don Juan, Show Boat, High Society and the revival of Into the Woods, John McMartin's other Broadway credits include Artist Descending a Staircase, A Little Family Business, Solomon's Child, Happy New Year, The Rules of the Game, Love for Love, Chemin de Fer, The Visit, The Great God Brown, Follies, Sweet Charity, A Rainy Day in Newark, Children From Their Games, The Conquering Hero and Blood, Sweat and Stanley Pope.
Thrill Me will play Monday through Thursday evenings at 8 PM, Friday and Saturday nights at 8:30 PM with matinees on Wednesdays at 2:30 PM and Saturdays at 5 PM. Tickets, priced at $55, are available by calling (212) 868-4444 or by visiting www.smarttix.com.
The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's is located at 619 Lexington Avenue with the entrance at 54th Street. Visit www.yorktheatre.org for more information.
