The Silver Spring Penguin

Snot-nosed preppy murderers spouting Nietzsche always make good theater — on stage and off.

Back in the day (1924), Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb were two swanky dudes. They were sharp dressers, well educated and from rich Chicago families.

And they were both complete sociopaths.

While on a Nietzsche-fueled ego bender, they stabbed a little boy and then dumped his body in an Illinois marsh. Their motive: kicks and giggles, the omnipotence of ending a life like squashing a bug.

The resulting murder trial had all the elements of great theater. Two dashing defendants. Their charismatic defense attorney, Clarence Darrow (of Scopes “monkey” fame). And a relentless press that swarmed like flies.

That high drama translates surprisingly well on the Silver Spring Stage’s small, minimalist set, thanks to some pretty good acting.

Sam Ludwig deftly portrays Loeb as both a pitiful nihilist and a manipulative prick. Ryan Manning does equally well as Leopold, the love-starved, submissive bottom to Loeb’s domineering top. Their lines sound rushed at times, but their emotional and psychological projections are on target.

Veteran actor Craig Miller has been playing Clarence Darrow nearly as long as — well, Clarence Darrow. Miller first played Darrow in 1963, and the experience pays off in spades. His performance is thoughtful and deliberate, and brings focus to the sometimes hurried dialogue.

Michael Kharfen’s direction is sharp but can be chaotic at times. Overlapping dialog gets tangled while actors attempt to speak over one another. Otherwise, Kharfen’s tight timing keeps everything on track.

It’s an interesting court case, and an enthralling play.

“Never the Sinner”

Starring Ryan Manning (Nathan Leopold), Sam Ludwig (Richard Loeb), Craig Miller (Clarence Darrow), David Gorsline (prosecutor Robert Crowe). Written by John Logan. Directed by Michael Kharfen.

Presented by the Silver Spring Stage, 10145 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring.