Steppenwolf Theatre has dedicated its 30th season to new works. Currently on the stage is John Kolvenbach's wonderfully touching "Love Song," directed by Austin Pendleton. The main characters are Joan (Molly Reagan), a career woman who goes through staff as if they were potato chips; her husband Harry (Francis Guinana) who shares a wonderful yet romanceless life with his wife; and Joan's brother Beane (Ian Barford) who is sort of invisible to his family and living alone without concern for the problems with which most people are consumed.
Beane wanders into his sister and her husband's stylish Lincoln Park type loft (designed by Brian Sidney Bembridge) which contrast Beane's world where possessions are few: only a chair, raggedy at best, and a lamp that flickers on and off. He also carries a cup and a spoon as his eating utensils and his clothes are badly in need of laundering. His life appears to have no meaning to anyone, and his sister feels he must be watched over.
One night Beane enters his house believing that he is being robbed only to discover that a woman named Molly is there wearing some of his clothing. As he and Molly talk and get to know each other, he falls in love. Beane finds that love songs, heretofore merely background music, finally make sense.
There are some wonderful scenes between husband and wife, brother and sister, lover and lover. The story makes one question Molly's origin and if she, in fact, even exists. Real or not, Beane becomes a better person because of her and his relationship with his sister gets better, while the married couple seem to grow closer. Is she a ghost? Or is she just a figment of Beane's imagination as he searches for someone to really care about and love him?
In either case, this "Love Song" sings.
"Love Song" through June 4th
The Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre
1650 N. Halsted
Tickets: $20-$60
Reservations: 312-335-1650 or online at www.steppenwolf.org
Alan Bresloff writes theater reviews for the Chicago area.
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