[Annaliese]

Has anyone ever seen a production of The Last Five Years? I listen to the CD all the time and love it. I was just wondering how it would be as a staged musical? Does it get monotonous? Or is it just as brilliant as I hope? Anyone care to review a production that they saw?

[B3TA07]

If anyone lives near Detroit, they could go see Jennyanydots' production of it.

[what_the_heck013]

I want to see Jenny's production so much, but I live far away.

Anways, I saw The Last Five Years at a small-scale theatre... it wasn't a Broadway production. What I liked about this one was that whenever Jamie was telling the story there was one color scheme, and when Cathy told the story it was another. It was rather minimal and on a very small stage.

[actor05]

I want to see it, but no productions around my area. I have the CD though. Very good.

[LesWickedPhantom]

I never saw it when it was actually off-Broadway near me. Stupid me. chance to see Norb and Sherie together again?! gar. Anyhoo, every once in a while I check the newspaper to see if there are any local productions of it. none so far. gar.

[what_the_heck013]

MTI gives a list of up-coming productions of The Last Five Years.
AIRPORT PLAYHOUSE
BOHEMIA, NY US From 1/6/2006
Until 1/29/2006
BEYOND THE PROSCENIUM PRODUCTIONS
SACRAMENTO, CA US From 2/10/2006
Until 2/25/2006
CENTRO SERVIZI CULTURALI ST. CHIARA
TRENTO, .. IT From 1/1/2006
Until 2/1/2006
CHANCE THEATER
ORANGE, CA US From 2/4/2006
Until 3/12/2006
MODERN MUSE THEATRE COMPANY
DENVER, CO US From 2/10/2006
Until 4/9/2006
MUSICALFARE THEATRE
BUFFALO, NY US From 3/1/2006
Until 4/2/2006
RENAISSANCE THEATRE
HUNTSVILLE, AL US From 2/10/2006
Until 2/18/2006
REPRISE
MARINA DEL REY, CA US From 1/30/2006
Until 1/30/2006
ROLLINS COLLEGE/ DEPT OF THEATRE & DANCE
WINTER PARK, FL US From 4/27/2006
Until 4/30/2006
STUDIO 301
DAVIS, CA US From 2/23/2006
Until 2/26/2006

Suprisingly, there are TWO near me. YEAH!

[B3TA07]

None near me. Fraaa.

[LoneWanderer]

Never seen it live no. I've seen a video of it though and it's...amazing. This is deffinatly my favorite musical at the moment.

~The Lone Wanderer

[what_the_heck013]

The only problem with L5Y is hearing your name repetitively in "Still Hurting". I tend to have to skip that you.

[piscesmoni]

JRB is playing Jamie in a production in Pasadena, about less than an hour away. You think I should see it?

[what_the_heck013]

[piscesmoni]

*runs and gets advertisement*

It says July 7 - August 6, but it's doing this alternating thing with "I Do! I Do!" so I'm a bit confused. Go here: www.pasadenaplayhouse.org

[what_the_heck013]

Go to where it says "Buy Tickets" to see when it is playing. The schedule is rather random. I must go see it, though. I am yet to see a professional production of it.

piscesmoni, do you see shows at the Pasadena playhouse often? Have you seen Forever Plaid there?

[piscesmoni]

Nah. I don't get out of the house often to go see professional theatre; only sometimes at the Pantages. I've been to the Rubicon in Ventura once and I volunteer regularly at the Civic Arts Plaza, which has some nice tours, but nothing special. And I pass the Ahmanson every week, yet never been inside. So no, haven't been to the Pasadena Playhouse, lol. But once I'm on my own two feet...watch out, haha.

[what_the_heck013]

Piscesmoni, although JRB isn't in this production (and I haven't seen it yet), I reccomend seeing it here also. I've seen their past few shows, which have been great. Their 2006 season includes both The Last Five Years AND Into the Woods--two of my favorite musicals. YEAH!

[Annaliese]

What do you think is the number one challenge for both the actor playing Jamie and the actress playing Cathy?

[what_the_heck013]

Well, in some productions, they don't ever speak/sing to eachoter. Sometimes you are singing to nobody. Also: I think Cathy is a difficult role to play because there is a certain mindset and a way of approaching the role that is needed to play it since she is telling her story backwards.

[Sweeney Todd]

I've only heard the original cast recording. How is it staged? How have you seen it done?

[MrsJamieWellerstein]

[Annaliese]

You know when Jamie sings

"Some people analyze every detail
Some people stall when they can't see the trail
Some people freeze out of fear that they'll fail
But I keep rolling on

Some people can't get success with their art
Some people never feel love in their heart
Some people can't tell the two things apart
But I keep rolling on"

Does this description of "some people" remind anyone else of Cathy? But that Jamie just can't see it yet? And also, do you think that this is truly an accurate description of Cathy? Or do you think that it is just Jamie's opinion? (As shown in later songs such as "If I Didn't Believe in You")

[what_the_heck013]

Yes, he is talking about Cathy. ANd I think it is accurate.
"Some people freeze out of fear that they'll fail
But I keep rolling on
Some people can't get success with their art "

In "Climbing Uphill" she sings,
"I will not be the girl stuck at home in the 'burbs
With the baby, the dog, and the garden of herbs
I will not be the girl in the sensible shoes
Pushing burgers and beer nuts and missing the clues
I will not be the girl who gets asked how it feels
To be trotting along at the genius's heels
I will not be the girl who requires a man to get by..."

Which shows that she IS afraid of failing. In her defense, it is Jamie's opinion that she " can't get success with their art ".

[dramaluvergurl92]

heh

I wish I could see it

I'm just getting in to it know, I've only heard a few songs. I am totally in love with Norbert Leo Butz!

[cabaretfreak]

IT'S coming to Sac!! Yay!!! I HAVE TO SEE IT!

[Actor4010]

i was in Man Of La Mancha 3 years ago through my high school, it was an amazing production...the cast was phenomenal i will have pics soon, the drama teacher needs to give them to me

[what_the_heck013]