Andrew Kuster

The Soulless (Score) Andrew Kuster

The Soulless is a musical drama about love's torments, the sorrow of loss, and finding joy in the unexpected. RICHARD and VIOLET's marriage is broken; secretly both have sought passion elsewhere, but nobody's satisfied. Violet's dishonesty with her psychoanalyst and lover JACK and Richard's torrential one-night-stand with lively BRIGIT have blasted everyone into their own emotional crises. And mysterious DIANA can no longer hide her grief behind her smile. Tonight fate throws everyone together at the memorial service of a common acquaintance, and facades shatter. The drama starts as people arrive in the lobby of an upscale hotel for the memorial service, and to everyone's relief a competent bartender keeps the drinks coming. Richard and Violet bicker, try to keep emotionally steady, and attempt to deflect each other from romantic exploits with Brigit and Jack. (It takes Richard a while to realize he already had seduced Brigit a couple months earlier-she required an extreme makeover to rebalance.) Meanwhile, Diana discovers the memorial to be a fantastic opportunity to connect with people-at first professionally and then romantically with Jack. Just as everyone's exploits get out of control, the memorial service starts and Act One closes. Act Two begins as the service ends, and people stream out with demeanors and costumes subtly and beautifully transformed. Violet insists that Jack explain their affair to Richard, but increasingly-attractive Diana keeps getting in the way. Richard and Brigit realize that their connection is very deep-their unforgettable one-night-stand had consequences: Richard is in love and Brigit is pregnant. And as the terrified Brigit ferociously defends herself against Richard's continuous aloofness, Violet comes to his rescue. Meanwhile, Diana confesses her love to Jack, who rejects her for Violet. And the play closes with everyone's hearts a little sadder, and a little fuller with love.