CAST’s ‘The Last 5 Years’ is a very ‘thoughtful’ musical
Jami R. Smith
Special to the Herald
The season opener from the Clinton Showboat Theatre players is a dramatic, poignant look at the demise of a once-hopeful relationship.
Written by Jason Robert Brown, the play appears to be his side of the story about his own bitter divorce. So much so, that his ex-wife attempted to stop its Broadway opening.
For those who love theater, this show is not to be missed. We rarely get to see a production like this one and it’s nice to see something thought-provoking on our Showboat stage.
At times amusing and playful — sadness, bitterness, and blame are the recurring themes overriding any humor or fun. However, no one can complain about the musical language that conveys those messages. The rock/pop genres of music contained in this production are amazing and entertainingly theatrical.
The story of two young lovers — Catherine and Jamie — is told interestingly from opposite perspectives. Not just through the conflicting viewpoints of the characters, but from reverse ends of the relationship itself.
The show opens with Catherine (Nicole Horton) holding a goodbye letter from Jamie in her hands at the end of their flagging marriage. The song, “Still Hurting” has Horton alternately singing sweetly of her pain and feelings of abandonment — then belting out her rage and frustration with Jamie’s ego.
On the other side of the stage in his first number, Jamie’s story is told from the beginning of their relationship. In “Shiksa Goddess,” Jamie (Joshua Sohn) sings of Jewish angst and the repercussions he may face from his family because of his love for Catherine.
The characters alternately sing their way backward and forward in the relationship until their timelines coincide at their wedding day. This is the only moment the characters interact with each other and this is very symbolic of their love story.
After intermission, this theatrical device continues until we find Jamie finally writing the letter Catherine read at the beginning of the play; while Catherine sings of her longing to see Jamie again after their first date.
The staging is simple. A set of steps on each side of the stage flank a hanging center screen. Each character plays from their side of the stage until their timelines meet and then they switch sides for the remainder of the show.
Photos of the characters projected on the screen help to clarify the meaning of each scene and famous quotations are also flashed on the screen to illuminate the story further. A revolving stage floor assists with scene staging — although probably more effectively in a larger production.
A live three-piece orchestra: Kate Hennies on piano; Sean Carney on guitar; Kevin Botkin on bass did a great job with a difficult pace.
Since there are only two characters, a whole lot is expected of the performers and they both deliver.
Nicole Horton has a powerful voice that can convey at times hyper excitement or an angry screech in a pure-high note. Her best number is “Summer in Ohio.”
While Joshua Sohn is so exuberantly cute as he falls for his Cathy, that I really believed he loved her — especially when he sings “The Schmuel Song.” The audience loved it!
I admire Artistic Director Patrick D. Stinson for taking on this production and he deserves kudos for his clever use of the center screen with photos that really clarify the story. He obviously has a true passion for the theatre and the Showboat theatre in particular.
However, since the Clinton Showboat Theatre made its own dramatic changes this year, most audience members were anxious to get a sample of what this new season would bring.
This play has some real charm and very funny moments, but it’s kind of a bummer. It’s like a sad break-up song that you play over and over again when you’ve lost at love; immersing yourself in its bittersweetness.
Obvious from the very beginning there is no happy ending, we abandon all hope and all that’s left is the mystery of why and how it ends.
Many in the theatre were confused by the timeline gimmick until a young lady in the crowd enlightened them.
Her explanation helped Act II, but a somewhat depressing story perhaps wasn’t the best choice to open the 2009 Summer Season. I don’t want every show to be a lighthearted musical romp, but for today — I’m “Still Hurting.”
Jami Smith is our local theater reviewer and a sales representative at the Clinton Herald. She can be contacted at jamirsmith@clintonherald.com
For show and ticket information call 242-6760 or log onto www.clintonshowboat.org
