The New Jewish Theatre continues its 20th season with John Logan’s play “Never the Sinner” from March 16 to April 2. 

The play has been described as a chilling love story between two brilliant and privileged young men tried for what became known in 1924 as the “crime of the century.”  The Off Broadway hit explores the complex relationship between the two men, Nathan Leopold Jr. and Richard Loeb. 

Leopold and Loeb were tried for the brutal murder of a 14-year-old in Chicago. They were defended by Clarence Darrow, who pleaded eloquently against capital punishment. The play explores how the wealthy young men considered themselves Nietzsche’s “supermen,” and decided to commit murder just for the thrill of it. 

The NJT describes the play as “a love story set to themes of crime and punishment, the press, the times, humanism, Nietzsche’s philosophy and the end of the jazz age.”

Rick Dildine directs the production, which features Will Bonfiglio, Maggie Conroy, John Flack, John Reidy, Eric Dean White, Pete Winfrey and Jack Zanger. 

NJT will perform the play in the Jewish Community Center’s Wool Studio Theatre, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. There will be post-show talkbacks with legal experts after the Thursday, March 23 and March 30 performances. Tickets are $39.50 to $43.50 and are available at newjewishtheatre.org or 314-442-3283.