The Last Five Years, Jason Robert Brown’s wickedly difficult two hander musical now on in the intimate confines of Rivendell Theatre, is a close up look at the impossible task of coupling in our modern era. Cathy, an aspiring New York actor, meets Jamie, an emerging writer on the fast track. Cathy tells her story from the end to the first meeting whereas Jamie tells his version from start to finish. This structure means that while delving into the most vulnerable of emotions the two actors are in a kind of theatrical parallel play, occupying the same space but only coming together in the middle of the story at their wedding. As wrenching as the story is, there is a kind of distance because of the conflicting time zones. The story then hits the audience in a resonant and evolving comprehension. I can only imagine the construct of reversed timelines presents a herculean task for the actors whose character arc is affected by the others but does not play out in a traditional way.
Luckily director Brent Ervin-Eickhoff has found a perfect pair in Karaline Feller as Cathy and Jeff Pierpoint as Jamie. Of course it is clear from the get go, since Cathy sings Still Hurting about the horrific breakup and then Jamie comes on with his song Shiksa Goddess, that there is no universe where these two artistic, romantic,attractive people would ever work out as a pair: there is too much working against them. Jamie loves her mostly to get back at his family and Cathy is facing the reality of the nature of an actor’s life. Two ambitious people would have to be emotionally mature beyond their years to navigate the rapids of careers that pull them in different cities and trajectories. And its always hard to chase being creatively true to oneself AND staying connected to another person. But even as you know the outcome, you can’t help hoping for a different end for these two.
The dynamic onstage band led by Harper Caruso gives the score a delicious rendering and the storefront Rivendell is a fascinating art installation for the action. It’s a thoughtful production that is well crafted with a centering truth.
The Last Five Years is only playing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until February 23rd at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble at 5779 N Ridge in Chicago, so run don’t walk to get tickets and info at https://www.kalliopeandco.com/
For more reviews go to https://www.theatreinchicago.com
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