By John Hobbs
Photography by John Skalicky
www.skalickyphoto.com

Tainted Love

There’s no such thing as the perfect crime. Just ask Nathan Leopold Jr. and Richard Loeb, who found out the hard way after the kidnapping and thrill-kill of 14-year-old Bobby Franks landed them in the bighouse, facing a life sentence plus 99 years for their heinous crimes. Though neither served their full sentences—Loeb was killed by a fellow prisoner and Leopold was released on parole after 33 years and died in 1971—their infamy continues to live on even into the 21st century. This month, Los Angeles theatergoers will see two vastly different takes on the sensational story—a musical version (Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story), and a docudrama (Dickie and Babe: The Truth about Leopold and Loeb) written and directed by Daniel Henning, taking the stage at the Blank Theatre through March 16. Stepping into the roles of the murderous teens in Henning’s production are IN Los Angeles coverboys—and cuties—Aaron Himelstein (Austin Powers in Goldmember) and newcomer Nick Niven, both of whom took a moment out of character to give us the scoop on the new production.

Aaron

Age: 22
Role: Nathan “Babe” Leopold Jr.
Strategy for Fighting Off Opening Night Jitters: Memorize my lines
Dream Role: To play Martin in Edward Albee’s The Goat when I’m 45 years old.
Valentine’s Plans: I think I have a show.

Nick

Age: 23
Role: Richard "Dickie" Loeb
Strategy for Fighting Off Opening Night Jitters: Knowing that all the hard work has been done and now it is just time to play
Dream Role: I'd love a crack at playing Hunter S. Thompson.
Valentine’s Plans: Spending time with my girlfriend: late-night dinner and movie

How did you first get involved with the production of Dickie and Babe?
NN: I happened to be standing outside another theater at the exact time Daniel Henning was driving home from the Blank. The resemblance between Dickie and myself is a little frightening. He saw me and pulled over to investigate. The planets aligned on that fateful afternoon and the rest is history—after auditioning of course. It is the kind of Hollywood discovery story that you only see in the movies and actors only dream about.

What was it like getting into the head of a murderer for this production?
NN: Getting into the head of anyone is a scary road to travel. I can take a step back from the project, look at it objectively, and see the wrongs he committed, but by passing judgment I lose the ability to portray him truthfully. So I believe there is a happy medium of keeping one foot planted in reality while letting the other dance the Charleston. And then I had to find a 14-year-old boy who was dispensable.

And Aaron, how did you prepare for your role?
AH: I started by creating some rules for myself. One of them was no clubs or parties. I’ve limited my social interactions quite a bit and when I’m not at the theater, I’m either watching old movies I think Babe would enjoy, or reading Nietzsche or mulling over the hundreds of pages of research materials on the trial, the case and the boys’ psychological breakdowns.

What did you find that you had most in common with your character?
NN: We both want the approval of those around us. There is an unspoken truth to our infectious personalities that makes people feel safe and appreciated.

AH: There is a very analytical side to both of us. We both compare things and view the world like an anthropologist. I know I was a pretty lonely kid growing up and [from] what I gather, he was too. And we both drink a lot of water.

What does the play add to the much-told story of Leopold and Loeb?
NN: We make no excuses for what happened. It is an honest telling of an already remarkable story. The audience will no longer be able to hold these boys at arm’s length, their humanity is terribly apparent.

AH: A distinct sense of truth, which other incarnations of the story have, for whatever reasons, lacked. Many stories have added many fictional elements, or changed facts, which I can’t understand because the story itself is so dramatic and shocking that it doesn’t need any liberties to be taken at all to be a well structured, dramatic story.

When you're not acting, what do you like to do for fun?
NN: I am a barbecue enthusiast.

AH: I love watching old films at the New Beverly Theatre and I like hanging out with my friends. I don’t do many things for fun, though. I look to my friends for help with that. I’m the kind of person who will stay in my house unless I get a call to come out.

What's up next for you?
NN: I can only hope work keeps coming my way and that I will continue to work with those who inspire me.

AH: I have some films coming out this year, and I’m working on getting funding for a feature film I’m going to direct.

Dickie and Babe: The Truth About Leopold and Loeb plays at the Blank Theatre through March 16. For ticket information, go to www.theblank.com.

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