REVIEW: Another "Five Years"

Last night I had the opportunity to see another incarnation of Jason Robert Brown's THE LAST FIVE YEARS, this time at Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA. Had I not just seen Second Stage's phenomenal revival in New York (read my review here), I think I would have found last night a lot more magical.

The first thing that stuck out to me when I walked into the space was the gorgeous set, designed by Daniel Conway. For such a minimalist musical, he created a complex, interesting space, that was highlighted by a stream of papers flying in an upward spiral from the desk on stage. 

Once the musical started, the show was similar to both other productions of this show I've seen. The same story, the same music, all surrounding the five year relationship between the novelist Jamie and actress Cathy. 

After the vocal powerhouse that was the performance by Betsy Wolfe and Adam Kantor, this production was a let down vocally. Erin Weaver, who plays Cathy, has a sort of frail voice that didn't lend itself to the strong ballads like "Still Hurting." Unfortunately her acting in the beginning of the show, where Cathy is a wreck emotionally, was bland and she didn't seem broken up by her break-up with Jamie at all. She was much stronger, at least in terms of acting, in the character songs like "Summer in Ohio" and "I Can Do Better Than That."

James Gardiner, who played Jamie, was stronger than Weaver was both vocally and in his acting. He was funny and likable, until he needed to be the villain of the story. Was he perfect? No. But what actor ever is? His rendition of "The Schmuel Song" had me cracking up the whole time, and I liked how he differentiated his performances from the canon version of the show (by Norbert Leo Butz).

Overall, this was a pretty good regional production of a great show. I wonder how I would have reacted if this was the first production of the show I saw. It definitely was worth the time though and if you can make it out to Arlington, worth the price of admission.

REVIEW: Second Stage's THE LAST FIVE YEARS

NOTE: THIS IS A REVIEW OF A PREVIEW PERFORMANCE. THINGS CAN CHANGE/TIGHTEN UP BEFORE THE SHOW OFFICIALLY OPENS

I had the privilege of getting to see Second Stage Theatre's new production of THE LAST FIVE YEARS on Wednesday night, and it was one of the best theatrical performances I've ever seen.

THE LAST FIVE YEARS is the story of Jamie and Cathy's five year relationship, only they tell the story one song at a time, moving in opposite directions, only singing together in the middle at their wedding.

This production, directed by the show's composer Jason Robert Brown, was perfectly cast with Adam Kantor (Rent, Next to Normal) and Betsy Wolfe (Mystery of Edwin Drood, 35mm).

L5Y is one of my favorite musicals, so I have the original cast recording (starring Norbert Leo Butz and Sherie Renee Scott) basically memorized, and was worried I'd be disappointed by this new production because of my love of the original. Boy was I wrong. I loved the different moments these actors found and the different choices that made it sound and feel like a different show.

What made this production great was the use of the sparse set and lighting, but using them at specific moments to help illustrate exactly what was going on. The set was almost entirely made up of a set of windows that moved up and down. Three of them had screens that served as setting in multiple numbers.

It was also interesting because Jason Robert Brown changed some lyrics and moments for this revival, which took me by surprise, but were very effective while minimal.

Wolfe and Kantor were both equally matched, both vocally and in acting ability. Both truthfully told Cathy and Jamie's story instead of just beautifully singing the song cycle. (There is almost no spoken text in the show). Highlights for me were Wolfe's "Summer in Ohio" and the Audition Sequence, and Kantor's "If I Didn't Believe in You."

I really hope that they record this production, because it is absolutely brilliant (it has already been extended twice before it has even officially opened). Check out this behind the scenes video!

THE LAST FIVE YEARS to Return to NYC

Second Stage will produce the first production of THE LAST FIVE YEARS in New York City since its first production ten years ago. The production, to be directed by Jason Robert Brown himself, will open in Spring of 2013 with a cast to be announced.

This is awesome news and I'm really curious to see who they cast as the leads. I'm sure they could get two really amazing people!

Tracie Thoms, Shoshana Bean, Jane Lynch, More Set for LAST FIVE YEARS

The Third Street Theatre in LA will host a three night-fundraiser with a rotating cast for Jason Robert Brown's musical (and one of my favorite musicals of all time) THE LAST FIVE YEARS. The show will be hosted by Jane Lynch, William H. Macy, and Felicity Huffman, according to BroadwayWorld

The cast for the shows will include Tracie Thoms (Rent), Shoshana Bean (Wicked), Lindsay Pearce (Glee Project) and Chase Williamson. The four actors will take turns playing Jamie and Cathy, with some of them changing the character of Jamie into a female role.

This is a very different take on what is potentially one of my favorite musicals and I'm upset I won't have the chance to see this because this is so exciting and cool and different.

New Jason Robert Brown Musical Headed to Broadway!

According to Broadwayworld, Jason Robert Brown's new musical HONEYMOON IN VEGAS is set to open on Broadway in Spring 2013 after a debut in Toronto. The musical is based off of the movie of the same name. I am so excited to hear a new JRB musical!!

"Based on the Castle Rock Entertainment Motion Picture of the same title, Honeymoon in Vegas features music and lyrics by Tony Award-winner Jason Robert Brown and a book by Andrew Bergman (director and screenwriter of the film). Gary Griffin (The Color Purple) will direct."