Jason Robert Brown’s acclaimed 2001 musical, The Last Five Years returns to Melbourne stage in a new production at fortyfivedownstairs, featuring an all-star duo of two-time Helpmann Award winner Verity Hunt-Ballard (Sweet Charity, Mary Poppins) and Josh Piterman (CATS, West Side Story), under the direction of Chris Parker.
Can a couple, once inspired by each other’s dreams, stay connected as their paths begin to divide? The Last Five Years tells the story of two twenty-somethings who fall in – and out – of love. Jamie (Piterman), an up-and-coming writer, struggles to balance his sudden success with his increasingly tumultuous love life.
Meanwhile, Cathy (Hunt-Ballard), an aspiring actress, deals with the frustrations of her own career while watching her husband succeed from the sidelines. Journey through this couple’s last five years in a musical which looks forwards and backwards at the ups and downs of modern love and life.
Jason Robert Brown has won three Tony Awards for his groundbreaking work as a composer, lyricist, and orchestrator. His emotionally incisive, ferociously energetic, and deeply human scores for The Bridges of Madison County (Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations), Parade (Tony and Drama Desk Awards), 13, and Songs for a New World have brought his unique voice and highly personal songs to stages all over the world.
Other works include The Trumpet of the Swan (written with Marsha Norman), which he conducted with the National Symphony Orchestra. Jason also tours with his band The Caucasian Rhythm Kings, with whom he has recorded a CD, Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes. A film adaptation of The Last Five Years starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan was released in February 2015.
Director: Chris Parker: Featuring: Verity Hunt-Ballard, Josh Piterman Musical Director: Daniel Puckey Designer: Daniel Harvey Lighting Design: Tom Willis Sound Design: Nick Walker Stage Manager: Vicki Heilbronn
The Last Five Years
fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Season continues to 11 December 2016
Bookings: www.fortyfivedownstairs.com
For more information, visit: www.victheatrecompany.com for details.
Image: Verity Hunt-Ballard and Josh Piterman star in The Last Five Years (supplied)