Never The Sinner opens at 1st Stage

1st Stage, Tysons Corner's award winning professional theater, announces the March 22 opening of "Never the Sinner"  by playwright John Logan.  The production at 1st Stage is directed by Jeremy Skidmore.

In a brilliant and compelling first play, award-winning playwright and screenwriter, John Logan recreates the 1924 "trial of the century."  Teenagers Leopold and Loeb kidnap and murder a 14-year-old in a sick effort to create the perfect crime. Their complex and fascinating relationship of fevered intellect, romantic passion, and distorted philosophy is unpacked by defense attorney Clarence Darrow who reshapes the trial into a vivid and powerful exploration of violence, vengeance and justice.

The 1st Stage production of "Italian American Reconciliation" features Stephen Russell Murray as Nathan Leopold, Alex Mandell as Richard Loeb and Michael Kramer as Clarence Darrow.  The cast also includes Sun King Davis, Adam Downs, Amber Jackson and Eric Lucas.

This production features a set design by Robbie Hayes, costume design by Laree Lentz, lighting design by Brian Allard, and sound design by Eric Shimelonis.  Matt Gardiner will choreograph the dance sequences.

The original production of "Never the Sinner" directed by Terry McCabe opened at the Stormfield Theater  in Chicago in 1985.  Signature Theatre (Shirlington) and Rep Stage (Columbia) co-produced a production directed by Ethan McSweeney in 1997 that moved to the John Houseman Theatre in New York later that year.

Playwright John Logan's list of theatrical credits include "Red," winner of the 2010 Tony Award for Best Play, as well as earlier plays, "Hauptman" and the musical "Riverview."  Mr. Logan's screenwriting credits include "Any Given Sunday," "Gladiator," "Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street," and "Skyfall."  He is currently working on the screenplay for the next James Bond movie.

"Never the Sinner" will run March 22 through April 14 with show times as follows:  Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 2 pm and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2pm and 7 pm.  General admission is $25.  Student tickets are $15.  Group discounts are available.