Thrill Me, Chapel Off Chapel, Thursday January 28th 2016
We saw "Thrill Me" by Stephen Dolginoff at Chapel Off Chapel, Thursday January 28th 2016. It is one of the best small cast musicals I have seen in a long time!For those new to my blog I write about the holistic experience of attending the theatre. So if you want a re-telling of the story please refer to the links for further information or for further insights. Note, that I may provide different links for repeated main words or phrases. I also mainly write for my memories of what I have seen.
Starring two of the finest young and talented actor/singers it is great value at $35 per ticket. The musical has a twist that you will not see coming.
Vincent Hooper as Nathan Leopold and Stephen Madsen as Richard Loeb are sublime in their roles in this warped and twisted tale of manipulation and sexual favours. Vincent Hooper clearly changes from a 15 year old to the 49 year old caged prisoner requesting parole. His body, voice and characterisation are so believable. While Stephen Madsen's character is so manipulative as a younger man and matures into the equally manipulative self. Though his ageing transitions are not as crystal clear it is because the character is so evil throughout his whole life. This did not bother me.
Designed by Daniel Harvey, the set is made up of pallets that create the raised stage with a sinister "walking on egg shells" feel of manipulation in their relationship to the actors. The stage floor pallets also created the image of "walking on a tightrope" as the actors nearly trip and twist their ankles, Yes the floor is dangerous but so are the characters' actions. The backdrop is a further nine pallets that create the image of the bars of a prisoner cell or the broken wall boards of an old barn. An evocative set with also a raised platform of more pallets on stage left, and a higher set of pallets on stage right that create many scenes - the parole board desk, prison cell, bonnet of a car etc. This set is so perfect for the era.
The props helped create authenticity to the era. Costumes were also well selected for their function and creating characters through their 34 year time leaps.
Lighting design by Jason Bovaird works well at times. Some of the problem seemed to be the execution of the lighting plot with two lights flickering and appeared faulty. My partner said it was very amateurish lighting design and execution.
There are banks of lights which are hung to the back drop of nine pallets. At times the lighting is effective. Sadly the lighting let down the show. At times the lighting was very specific to location but was not focused enough for other scenes. Nor was the differentiation between some settings. The parole room interview room, the holding cell, the bedroom, bonnet of the car, outside etc was made clear by the actors rather than the support of the lighting. For example a green light created an outside area and only half worked as the other side of the stage was so bright. The green light took ages to enlighten the area.
Musical direction and accompaniment by Daniele Buatti created the varying shades of emotions and tensions from both the actors. Daniele Buatti did not distract the audience and was ideally attired in suitably historical clothes.
Programmes should be more centrally located rather than at the door as you enter the theatre. I would have enjoyed reading the programme while waiting. Not enough marketing thought is put into providing initiative and customer service in selling the programmes. A gold coin donation is great value.
I provided feedback to the front-of-house staff that the year 2016, was not publicised on the "Thrill Me" posters, brochures or programme. I suggested that they make the dating of all printed matter needs to be the standard for the future. Sadly so many posters on the Chapel Off Chapel's walls do not have year dates. Oh so much history is so vague: "Oh when was that show on at Chapel Off Chapel?"
Loved the show. The lyrics are stirring. There was one song that sounded familiar and I think the song was "Afraid" which reminded me of "A Little Priest" from Stephen Sondheim's "Sweeny Todd." There was another part of a song that also sounded like another tune. But you know what - I do not care as I loved the show. I am not suggesting plagiarism but so many songs can remind us of another song.
I loved the sexual tension and the superb cast who held the audience as voyeurs or hostages to their story: We could not change anything. It was sickening that we could not change the outcome and also reminded me of "Sequence of Events" by George Macewan Green and "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote.
The play was well directed by Terence O'Connell and created the three act clarity of a drama within the succinct short playing time of about 75 minutes.
Sadly this short season was not available for my friends to see as we saw it late in its season.
I want the Cast CD cast recording YESTERDAY!
Congratulations to all involved. It was superb and both my partner and myself gave this a well deserved 9/10. That is rare for us even with the lighting hiccoughs.
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