THE LAST FIVE YEARS
 WAPP
proudly presents Jason Robert Brown's award-winning hit THE
LAST FIVE YEARS, an inspiring, heartwarming and intelligent tour
de force, two-character musical, an eloquent and
hauntingly beautiful song cycle following two star-crossed
lovers whose relationship is complicated by issues of trust
and desire. The show chronicles their experiences of
disillusionment and the sorrow of a passionate love
lost. Jamie begins his story at the start of their relationship and moves forward toward their inevitable breakup, while Cathy starts at the breakup, after five years, and moves backward toward their very first meeting. They come together only once, in the middle of the show, on their wedding day. This dual-chronology provides a unique examination of the yearnings, conflicts and neuroses that bring two people together and can also drive them apart. Jason Robert Brown has been hailed as "one of Broadway's smartest and most sophisticated songwriters since Stephen Sondheim" (Philadelphia Inquirer), and his "extraordinary, jubilant theater music" (Chicago Tribune) is loved worldwide, in the hundreds of productions of his musicals every year or in his own thrilling live performances. As the composer and lyricist of The Last Five Years, he was cited as one of Time magazine's "10 Best of 2001" and won Drama Desk Awards for "Best Music" and "Best Lyrics." He cites as inspirations, musicians such as Billy Joel and Joni Mitchell, so you can expect to hear (according to Brown himself,) "a very acoustic-rock kind of show." Brown says, "The confessional nature of singing to an audience brings out all those hidden fears and joys. I think, in fact, that its much more difficult to write a duet that seems honest and is still intensely emotional. People don't say those deep, powerful things to each other; they say them to themselves. Songs (sung solo) take us to that internal place." The Last Five Years runs at the ArtLoft Theatre, 1529 Washington Ave., on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, August 11- 27, at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $15. You can get ticket information by calling 314-412-5107. All programs are subject to change. |
copyright 2005 WAPP