Broadway1957
Compulsion
- Dates
- Oct 24, 1957 – Feb 22, 1958
- Performances
- 140
About
Compulsion is a 1956 crime novel by American writer Meyer Levin. Set in 1924 Chicago, it is inspired by the real-life Leopold and Loeb trial, and was a best seller. Two college students kidnap and kill a boy to prove they can get away with the perfect crime. The following year it was adapted by Levin into a stage play of the same title, which premiered at the Ambassador Theatre on Broadway and ran for 140 performances between October 24, 1957, and February 24, 1958. The lead roles were played by Dean Stockwell and Roddy McDowall.