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.
