The Last Five Years – The Musical
Studio Theater in Exile Presents
The Last Five Years, a Musical written by Jason Robert Brown
Starring Bret Fox & Alea Vorillas • Music Director: David John Madore
One could say that this is a ‘He said, She said’ or one could call it a musical inspired by Jason Robert Brown’s ex-wife, or a revenge against same, whatever it must be admitted that the play is a lyrical tribute to love, marriage, and divorce as the two character, Cathy (Alea Vorillas) and Jamie (Bret Fox) tell their stories of the relationship.
The structure of the show is unusual. Cathy’s story begins at the end of the relationship and concludes at its beginning. Jamie’s story starts at the beginning and follows through to the end. It’s an intriguing structure bringing up theories of how memory works and what the time-line crossover means. Will Cathy be better off since she deals with the sorrow of an ending first and remembers love last; does Jamie’s focus on his love first and his departure last tell us anything about memory, loss, the ability to get on with life even in pain? Artistically, rumor has it that Brown found the structure standing on a subway platform watching two trains pass in different directions.
Starting in 2001 at the Minetta Lane Theatre, “The Last Five Years” has traveled across the United States and six other countries. The words are intimate and poetic, the music is expressive, and the situation is universal, although much more melodic than the usual love to break-up story. It was named one of the top ten musicals by Time Magazine and lauded as a “powerful and intimate look at the 5 year-long relationship.”
Bret and Alea have wanted to do this show since they met each other 5 years ago. This show is about a couple and their 5-year relationship, and it is fitting that their friendship would culminate in this production in its 5th year.
Studio Theater in Exile @ Hudson Valley MOCA • 1701 Main Street • Peekskill, NY 10566
The Last Five Years is presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com