When the music begins in Jason Robert Brown’s engrossing musical The Last Five Years, melancholy sets the mood. Cathy’s first song contains the lyric “Jamie decided it’s time to move on… and I’m still hurting”.
Loosely based on his own divorce, Mr. Brown wrote this show which propelled the careers of Norbert Leo Butz and Sherie Rene Scott when it opened Off-Broadway in 2002. My first encounter with this musical was the 2013 revival starring Betsy Wolfe (& Juliet) and Adam Kantor (The Band’s Visit). I am a big fan of this piece and decided to stop in and see a small community theater production.
The company Art 4 presented this challenging work in the comfortable Leighton Auditorium within the St. Joe County Public Library. The night was cold and snowy so the audience size was rather small. That is a shame as the quality of the production was enormously higher than my expectations.
Interestingly, the show cast six performers in the only two roles, mixing up the performance combinations over three weekends. The night I attended Cathy was played by Michelle Miller and Director Mark Albin was Jamie. Both of them nailed their characterizations resulting in the emotional payoff required by the show’s end.
The Last Five Years takes place in two story arcs which alternate as the musical progresses. Cathy’s half begins at the end of her relationship with Jamie. At the end of the show, she is just meeting him. Jamie’s tale starts with his meeting a “Shiska Goddess” with all of the exuberance of a love-struck youth. The tonal shifts are abrupt and draw the listener in immediately.
Toward the middle of the show is the only time the two are fundamentally in the same time and place. I find the structure riveting. Most of the songs are excellent, some even feel like classics after hearing them again. They are not simple to sing and this cast impressed not only with their vocal chops but also their focused commitment to storytelling.
A six piece orchestra, including two essential celloists, was terrific as well. It is not often I comment on Sound Design (Engineers Todd Lemons & AJ Ridenour and Soundboard Operator Erin Joines) unless it is an issue. Here it was noticeably fine as the balance between the two voices and the largely continuous musical were harmonious and neither overwhelmed the other.
Mr. Albin’s solid direction kept the action moving on the basic yet appropriate set design. One minor note would be for the choreography. When it infrequently happened, the steps felt a tad forced and not intricately wedded into the characters being played.
Ms. Miller and Mr. Albin had many memorable high points. Jamie’s bedroom scene was particularly great and his portrayal clearly displayed the requisite aging of this flawed person. Cathy’s audition scene was a hoot and Ms. Miller’s portrait was richly multi-dimensional. She was never less than radiant on stage and the pleasure of hearing her sing those memorable tunes was worth far more than the modest ticket price.
This little company has announced its 2023 season which will include Godspell, Spring Awakening and The Lightning Thief, all of which I have seen before. If this production is any indication, a visit should be on your theater schedule. I will definitely be back.
The Last Five Years concluded performances on December 18, 2022. The four other actors were Hannah Efsits, Myah Englebrecht, Pierre Cooks and Sean Leyes.
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