Relationships start, relationships end, and then we write musicals about them. Stone’s Throw Productions, Pacific Theatre’s non-professional counterpart, is thrilled to present Jason Robert Brown’s THE LAST FIVE YEARS. A stunningly inventive musical that depicts two young New Yorkers who fall in and out of love over the course of 5 years. The show’s unconventional structure has Cathy, the woman, begin the play at the end of their relationship, telling her side of the story backwards while Jamie, the man, tells his side chronologically. The couple meets only once, in the middle of the play when they get married and pledge their lifelong love for one another.
Director Heather Teeter says, “This show, partially autobiographical in nature, was written close on the heels of Jason Robert Brown's own failed marriage. As the story examines key events in the characters' relationship, one sees the particular perspective of one character at a time. The audience is left to examine the nature of such a relationship. How could something that started out so right end up broken? Was this marriage destined to fail or what could have been prevented? At once both simple and complex in its beautiful storytelling, JRB has found a way to pair the candor of true-to-life lyrics with a sophisticated musical score evoking the rich emotional undercurrent behind them, each one made stronger by the other. Both the love-struck highs and heartbroken lows, held in close contrast here, are intoxicating.”
Featuring Shalyn McFaul as Cathy, fresh off her apprenticeship at Pacific Theatre and featured role inGodspell and Joshua McFaul, a classically trained singer who has a foot in the world of both musical theatre and opera, as Jamie. Directed by Heather Teeter with musical direction by Dave Rosborough. Lighting design is by Jin Kim. The live 6-piece band consists of Dave Rosborough on piano, Kathleen Nisbet on violin, Noah James on cello, Joyce Ma on viola, Taylor Caswell on Bass, and Matthew MacArthur on guitar.
The Last Five Years plays July 15-17. Pay what you can preview July 14. Tickets $15. Performances at Pacific Theatre. To book call 604.731.5518 or visit www.pacifictheatre.org.