Love Song Review: Tear-Worthy

A light bulb shines and dims as the cacophony commences. The walls cave in and out as a tormented young man pens his thoughts while the thunderous atmosphere surrounds him.

And so we are welcomed into the world of Beane.

The Seeing Place Theater opened up its fourth season with John Kolvenbach’s Olivier-nominated play, “Love Song.” Brandon Walker plays Beane, an enigmatic character surrounded by the office workers who encourage his self-improvement.

Beane, however, marches to the beat of a different drum.

His neurotic sister, Joan (Marnie Klar) and her husband Harry (Jason Wilson) live a comfortable lifestyle, yet have issues in their own marriage. When Molly enters the picture and robs Beane’s home, Beane finds himself smitten with the mysterious woman. Molly dresses like Beane and is the one person who seems to understand him.

Molly, played by Erin Cronican also Director of the show, soon becomes the light that brightens up Beane’s dark days. When she is around, nothing bad can happen. Cronican and Walker, still riding high from their summer success in “The Lover” and “Danny and the Deep Blue Sea” are a joy to watch. The relationship between Beane and Molly starts to parallel Joan and Harry’s. When things go well for them, Joan and Harry see progression in their communication as well.

Making mental illness believable in theater, an environment so concentrated on over-exaggeration, seems like it would be a challenging task. However, the show presents Beane as a character definitely suffering yet he remains likeable, charming and dynamic. Beane is the counterbalance to the predictable and stagnant people around him.

Klar’s character carries on way too much in the show, which is essential to her role but is irritating at times. She still gives a reputable performance. Harry is a welcomed balance to his wife’s insanity. The two performers do a great job at making you feel as though you aren’t watching actors. You are really watching the daily lives of many married couples.

The music that transitions the scenes is a Seeing Place Theater staple and is calming and romantic. The moving set design is creatively constructed. The hinging movement of the walls makes apparent the struggles Beane faces when Molly is nowhere in sight.

When Joan and Harry figure out a fun fact about Molly, the play picks up. Some of the deepest dialogue occurs between Molly and Beane towards the end. Molly has made Beane become alive and ended the drudgery of his life.

“Love Song” tackles not only a story between a man and his inner turmoil and the effect it has on those who love him. The issue of mental illness as a whole is presented in a respectable and professional manner. The characters are relatable and seem like they could be your co-workers or next-door neighbors. Beane’s zest for life is replenished with Molly’s presence and when he’s in high spirits, the happiness is contagious.

“Love Song” is a beautiful story and may even cause you to shed a tear or two. Ultimately this show presents love as something that isn’t always what it seems.