Generic Theater Company's The Last 5 Years, written by Jason Robert Brown and directed by Ava Taylor, is a modern day love story told by two individuals who find themselves wrapped up together for a brief moment in time. The story, more bitter than sweet, is told from both in the relationship. Jamie Wellerstein, played by Michael Noel, tells the story from beginning to end while Cathy Hyatt, Played by Rachel Johnson, tells the story from ending to beginning. Their stories meet only once in the middle at their wedding day. In short, this musical fits its marital plot within the timeline of a contemporary marriage cycle. Cathy, who is first seen on stage crying at the end of her marriage, is troubled with balancing her difficult and unsuccessful acting career with her bumpy relationship. Jamie, a Jewish man who begins his story as he is about to meet his “shiksa Goddess,” tries to balance the recent success of his new book with keeping his feet on the ground. It is clear from the beginning that this love story ends unhappily-ever-after as Cathy tries to hold on to her self esteem while her husband’s career takes off.
Ava Taylor and her assistant director Kristy Skarulis have interpreted the beautiful story about an ambitious yet innocent couple who find themselves drifting apart. Half of the story imparts smiles and the other half tears as the jumbled timeline unfolds into the unique circle of their perspectives. The Music, a six-piece orchestra of students directed by Shawn Kelly, is both bold and inspiring as it compliments the sweet and bitter interactions on stage. Overall, this play is a must see for anyone who has felt the warmth or heartbreak of a relationship.
The Last 5 Years is in the Lisner Downstage on Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
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