THE LAST FIVE YEARS
REVIEW – JUNE 4, 2009
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WELL, I AM NOT SURE WHERE TO BEGIN THIS REVIEW OF THE LAST FIVE YEARS.  DO I BEGIN AT THE BEGINNING OR DO I BEGIN AT THE END?  THE FIRST SHOW OF THE SEASON AT THE CLINTON AREA SHOWBOAT THEATRE OPENED THURSDAY NIGHT ALONG THE CLINTON RIVERFRONT.  THE LAST FIVE YEARS IS A STORY OF A COMPLEX RELEATIONSHIP FROM BEGINNING TO END.
THIS TWO CHARACTER MUSICAL STARS NICOLE HORTON AS CATHERINE HIATT AND JOSHUA SOHN AS JAMIE WELLERSTEIN.  THEIR STORIES UNFOLD CONCURRENTLY FROM BEGINNING TO END IN QUITE AN UNSUAL WAY.  JAMIE’S STORY RUNS FROM THE BEGINNING (5 YEARS AGO) WHEN HE FIRST MEETS CATHY TO THE END AS HE WRITES HER GOODBYE.  CATHY’S STORY BEGINS “TODAY” WITH HER WRITING JAMIE AND TELLING HIM HOW MUCH IS SHE STILL HURTING IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP AND ENDS WITH HER BEING JOYFULLY LOOKING TO THE FUTURE AND WAITING FOR HIM TO CALL HER AGAIN.
THE LAST FIVE YEARS IS REALLY QUITE A SIMPLE STORY PLAYED OUT ON A VERY SIMPLE STAGE.  A WHITE PROJECTION SCREEN IN THE CENTER OF THE STAGE MOVES THE STORY ALONG IN BOTH WORDS AND PICTURES IN THE FORM OF A SLIDE SHOW.  AND BASICALLY ALL YOU HAVE ARE THE TWO CHARACTERS TELLING OR SINGING THEIR STORY.   BOTH JOSHUA AND NICOLE HAVE VERY STRONG, EXPRESSIVE VOICES AND BOTH HAVE A COMMANDING STAGE PRESENCE.  THE MUSCIAL NUMBERS ARE VERY ENTERTAINING.
THE AUDIENCE ENJOYED JAMIE’S “THE SCHMUEL SONG” AND CATHY’S “SUMMER IN OHIO” AND “THE NEXT TEN MINUTES”, SUNG BY BOTH AS THE TWO COME TOGETHER AND INTERACT FOR THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME TOGETHER ON STAGE.  AND ALTHOUGH YOU ALWAYS SUSPECTED THAT THE RELATIONSHIP WAS OVER FROM THE BEGINNING WHEN CATHY SINGS “STILL HURTING”, IT IS ONLY NEAR THE END OF THE SHOW AS JAMIE SINGS “NOBODY NEEDS TO KNOW” WHEN HE REVEALS AN AFFAIR THAT YOU KNOW THERE IS NO CHANCE FOR THIS COUPLE.  AND TO ME WHAT WAS COMPELLING ABOUT THIS SHOW IS MIX OF EMOTIONS FROM THE TWO CHARACTERS.  WHEN
ONE IS HAPPY AND EXCITED ABOUT THEIR LIFE THEIR FUTURE, THE OTHER IS SAD OR FEELING A LITTLE SHAKEY ABOUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP.
I REALLY ENJOYED THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND I THINK YOU WILL TO.
CONGRATULATIONS TO PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR PATRICK STINSON FOR BRINGING A VERY ENJOYABLE MUSICAL TO THE SHOWBOAT STAGE.  IT REALLY IS A PLAY OR MUSICAL LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
THE LAST 5 YEARS RUNS THRU JUNE 14TH.  CURTAIN TIMES ARE THURS., FRI. & SAT AT 7:30PM AND WEDNESDAY & SUNDAY MATINEES AT 3PM.  CONTACT THEIR BOX OFFICE FOR TICKETS.

IN THE REVIEWERS CHAIR, THIS IS GREG NAFTZGER FOR 1340 AM, KROS.