In his two-character musical, Stephen Dolginoff explores the power dynamics between Chicago’s notorious “thrill killers” Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, emphasizing the ways they manipulate each other in an escalating sadomasochistic game. But his preoccupation with the sexual string pulling between the murderers pushes their horrific crime to the periphery, robbing it of its social and moral context–ultimately the piece seems little more than a well-crafted exercise in sensationalism. This Chicago premiere directed by Lee Peters reinforces the script’s lack of depth, especially the acting: Scott Gryder is relentlessly prim as Leopold, while Eric Martin’s Loeb is hollow and unsure. Through 10/8: Wed-Thu 8 PM, Sat 6 PM, Sun 3 PM, Bailiwick Repertory, 1229 W. Belmont, 773-883-1090, $25-$30.