‘Luigi the Musical,’ about accused UnitedHealthcare CEO killer, to debut in SF

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — From the killer barber of “Sweeny Todd,” to Stephen Sondheim’s “Assassins,” musicals have long dealt with morbid subject matter. Now a musical based on Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old man accused of gunning down the CEO of a healthcare company in cold blood, is on its way to San Francisco.

“Luigi the Musical,” billed as “A story of love, murder and hash browns,” is due to open in June at the Taylor Street Theatre, formerly the Exit Theatre.

The show is described as a “wildly irreverent, razor-sharp comedy that imagines the true story of Luigi Mangione, the alleged corporate assassin turned accidental folk hero.” The film features other famous characters, including convicted crypto-fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried, and former rap mogul, turned accused sex trafficker Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Mangione, who was arrested as the prime suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, shares the same real-life prison as Bankman-Fried and Combs. Although it is unlikely he is actually cellmates with either, in the show, Mangione’s character navigates “friendship, justice, and the absurdity of viral fame,” with the two by his said.

“Bold, campy, and unafraid, Luigi: the Musical is both laugh-out-loud funny and surprisingly thoughtful,” according to the play’s production company. “If you like your comedy smart and your show tunes with a criminal record, Luigi is your new favorite felony.”

The show is directed by Nova Bradford and features original music and lyrics by Arielle Johnson. Johnson, Bradford, and co-writer Caleb Zeringue, are all involved in the local SF comedy scene. Andre’ Margatini, another Bay Area comic, is also credited as a co-writer on the show.

Mangione will be portrayed by Petaluma-based actor and comic, Jonny Stein, who admittedly bears some resemblance to the accused murderer. The 60-minute show makes its debut on Friday, June 13 and is currently scheduled for five performances.

Mangione once worked for California tech company TrueCar and was reported missing in San Francisco by his mother, roughly one month before he was arrested.