REVIEW: Goodpeed Musicals, "No Love Songs"

Goodspeed Musicals, East Haddam, CT

www.goodspeed.org

through October 20, 2024

By Suzanne Wells

Photo by Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Everyone has their go-to playlists—the road trip jams, the workout anthems. The musical drama "No Love Songs" at The Terris Theatre, directed by Andrew Panton and Tashi Gore, introduces life’s playlist in an emotionally charged production.

Conceived by Kyle Falconer and Laura Wilde, this musical spins a classic love story between a musician and an independent young woman, played out like pages from a diary. They come together, drift apart, face challenges, and search for a way forward—each pivotal moment underscored by a song from their own life’s playlist.

Jessie, portrayed by the talented John McLarnon, is the love-struck musician balancing family life and his touring band. His rich, timbered voice and distinct Scottish brogue add depth to nearly every scene and song, making his performance unforgettable.

Anna Russell-Martin delivers a powerful portrayal of Lana, a new mother isolated from friends and family. She transforms seamlessly from a hopeful college girl to a desperate single parent, each scene layering complexity and eliciting palpable despair.

The music, written by Kyle Falconer of “The View” and arranged by Gavin Whitworth, includes toe-tapping numbers like “Stress Ball” and “Rake It In,” as well as soulful ballads such as “Still Here” and “Mother.” While the songs effectively enhance the storyline, their frequent reprises and incorporations into other numbers can make them blend together, leaving nothing particularly memorable to hum on the way out.

The stage, designed to resemble a bar, cleverly uses amplifiers and equipment boxes to represent various locations, adding a gritty, authentic feel to the production. Cate Mackie’s costume design hits the mark, with Jessie’s rock-star ensemble of jeans, t-shirt, flannel, and jean jacket; while Lana’s wardrobe of a jumpsuit, leather jacket and Doc Martens doubles as worn-out pajamas, visually narrating her emotional journey.

"No Love Songs" beautifully captures the highs and lows of love and life, offering a raw and moving portrayal of triumph over despair. This musical drama is a poignant reminder that through life’s greatest struggles, the music plays on.