The Last 5 Years

I really enjoyed this show. Two talented performers, singing with heart and beautiful story telling.... full review

The increasingly popular Jason Robert Brown masterpiece The Last 5 Years receives another production at Hollywood Fringe this year courtesy of The Smiley Face and The Frown Entertainment Group. In addition to the quality of the writing, the show has become attractive to produce because it requires minimal resources: a two-person cast, few props, small stage. The show is a series of songs capturing the moments and memories that make up the five-year relationship between struggling actor Cathy Hyatt and literary genius Jamie Wellerstein. Cathy sings her story in reverse, starting with their breakup and ending with their first date, while Jamie sings chronologically, from early infatuation to the final goodbye. Ironically, the aspects o... full review

Definitely my cup of tea... not necessarily my wife's. Neither of us had seen the show before, but I knew the basic premise and my wife didn't. Having seen it, I think it would be helpful to know before you go the basics of how the story is being told; otherwise you can't really figure it out until the mid-point. That being said, it was a really good show. The woman playing Kathy was particularly wonderful. Both cast members had amazing voices that conveyed the story very clearly. Sadly, the music had to be piped in, but that was for the benefit of hearing the singing. I suppose my only real criticism is that the music had to be piped in. I think at times it was to the detriment of the performers, too, as they would get off key because... full review