Fans of narrative bending tales like "Memento" (2000) and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" (2004) will likely be enamored with the equally unconventional, non-linear musical "The Last Five Years." The musical, written by Tony Award-winner Jason Robert Brown, will be performed as a minor production by Torn Ticket II.
"The Last Five Years" follows two characters, Cathy and Jamie, through their "five years of accumulated memories, the progression and regression of time, and the development and decline of a relationship," drama graduate student and director Ginny Anderson said in her director's notes in the production's program.
In a unique twist, Cathy starts at the end of the relationship and progresses backwards as Jamie starts at the beginning and moves forwards in the story. The two characters only meet at their wedding.
This unconventional musical is "not your typical theater show," producer Stella Deych, a junior, said. Rather than the traditional structure followed by most theatrical works, "Last Five Years" is a "series of moments" in which you "get bits and pieces throughout," Deych said.
This approach stresses the roles of junior Douglas Foote (Jamie) and freshman Gabrielle Levy (Cathy), who must both take on the challenge of talking to a character who may not be there.
Despite its challenges, Anderson sees this show as effectively "dealing with memories." Anderson believes that people don't think in chronological order, and that often the best memories reside right next to some of the worst in the mind.
Torn Ticket's production, musically directed by junior Mike Pfitzer, retains the modern, enjoyable feel of the popular musical. Brown "has a lot of fun with music," Anderson said, using the score to develop characters and relate the story to the audience.
The play will be in Barnum 008, an unusual location for the group, which has been "kind of a pain," Deych said. The crew has managed to transform the lecture hall to "make it feel like the world of the show," Deych said.
"The Last Five Years" will be performed Tuesday April 10 and Wednesday April 11. Admission is free.
-by Gregory Connor
