by Lonnie the Theater Lady
“The Last Five Years”, Jason Robert Brown’s Drama Desk winner, was inspired by Brown’s failed marriage to Theresa O’Neil. She was so disturbed by the content of the show that she sued Brown on the grounds that it violated a non-disclosure agreement within their divorce settlement.
The relationship and marriage of Cathy (Madison Eveland) an aspiring actress, and Jamie (Evan Krug) an emerging novelist, are the basis for “The Last Five Years.”
The timeline of their story is uniquely told— backwards from Cathy’s viewpoint. She starts the show at the end of their relationship. Conversely, Jamie’s story is told from the beginning to the end.
The aspiring novelist, Jamie, is a frustrated Jewish man who is unimpressed with the single women he’s been meeting, until he meets Cathy. He’s enchanted with her because she is so very different from other women he has met. He sweetly sings, “Shiksa Goddess” with surprise and wonder.
As Jamie’s career explodes, Cathy struggles with hers. This fuels the rift that distances them from each other.
The show has minimal dialogue and depends on the clever, poignant, sometimes comical, lyrics to advance the story. It is far from a conventional musical. It feels like a hybrid of a musical combined with an operetta.
It requires two gifted musical theater performers to make this unusual show work. Eveland and Krug have oodles of both vocal and acting talent. Their strong chemistry and commanding stage presences are compelling. They click– it works.
Eveland’s mercurial vocals range from sweet and demure to powerful and heart-wrenching. The pain and frailty in her voice as she sings “Still Hurting” is excruciating. Her natural, nuanced performance endears her to the audience.
Krug highlights his comedic abilities in “The Schmuel Song.” He seamlessly switches back and forth from Jamie to an old Jewish man, Schmuel. He strikes the right formula of funny, sweet and romantic. His portrayal of Jamie’s transformation from tender, besotted lover to wildly ambitious writer is convincingly well done.
Pianist and music director Justin Feild masterfully tickles the keyboard to accompany the vocals. A few times the piano overplays the dialogue and vocals but mostly the accompaniment delivers a welcome, mood enhancing complement to the show.
Director, Jeff Johnston, deserves congratulations on this first full length show produced by Steel City Cabaret. He guides a crowd pleasing show to a large, sold out enthusiastic audience.
Here’s hoping this enjoyable, well performed show is produced again sometime in the not too distant future. It deserves to be appreciated by more than just one audience.
LtTL
Performed one time (November 3) by Steel City Cabaret in The Cellar at The Original Pittsburgh Winery.
