REVIEW OF THE LAST FIVE YEARS ~ A SPECIAL TREAT

Photo Credit: LAF Lines Photography lidija A. Fremeau

For those who lament the closing of Matt Davis’ Bon Ton Room, you need to get to the Jackson Symphony Hall this weekend to see Jason Robert Brown’s “The Last Five Years”, which premiered in Chicago in 2001 and played off Broadway starting in March 2002.

Presented by KW Productions and Ann Arbor Musical Theater Works, Adam Woolsey and Jayna Katz play Jamie, an author, and Catherine, an actress, in this two-character musical directed with a deft hand by Chip Mezo.

The evening is a 90 minute song cycle with very little dialogue and presented without an intermission. What makes it unusual is the way the story is told. Cathy’s story begins at the end of the relationship and Jamie’s at the beginning. Confused? You won’t be. Adam Woolsey and Jayna Katz make their individual trajectories clear, alternating songs. Somewhere near the middle the two characters briefly join together when they marry.

The songs are cabaret worthy with a mix of pop rock tunes, patter songs and ballads. The sound quality is amazing in the Symphony Hall since its renovation and thanks to the efforts of Amanda Mahoney and KJ Rowan. Every word sung was clear and sharp.

The first-rate musicians, led by Conductor/pianist Lora Knight, include Violin (Matthew Polson), Keyboards (Chip Mezo & Andrea Wynn), Bass (Del Belcher), and Guitar (Victor McDermott). Director Chip Mezo wisely places them upstage center and they are visible between the very workable abstract set designed by Christopher Mezo. The ‘end’ of the five years is on the left and the beginning is on the ‘right’. The two sides of the stage are carefully detailed with authentic pictures, books, and memorabilia making the characters come to life.

The casting is perfect. These two actors work beautifully together drawing the audience into the story and making them care. Jayna Katz has an enormous emotional range. Her laugh is infectious and as a needy aspiring actress, she is absolutely believable. Adam Woolsey, whose experience includes a brief appearance on American Idol Season 11, is loveable when he turns on the charm and smiles, but also capable of being selfish and unfaithful. Both actors have great control of vocal range and can modulate from quiet and lovely to ‘bringing down the house’ wail.

This is first-rate entertainment and highly recommended.

 “The Last Five Years,” by Jason Robert Brown, is at the Jackson Symphony Hall, 215 W Michigan Ave, Jackson, Michigan, performances tonight and Saturday at 8:00 PM and a Sunday matinee at 3:00 PM. Tickets ($15) are available at the door.

The Last Five Years July 12-15

KW Productions and
Ann Arbor Musical Theater Works Announces
THE LAST 5 YEARS
Written and Composed by
Jason Robert Brown

Jackson, MI –

KW Productions and Ann Arbor Musical Theater Works are proud to announce their upcoming production, THE LAST 5 YEARS, to be performed July 12 – 14 at 8:00 PM and July 15 at 3:00 PM at the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, 215 W. Michigan Ave. Jackson, MI 49201.

THE LAST 5 YEARS is a contemporary song-cycle musical that ingeniously chronicles the five year life of a marriage, from meeting to break-up... or from break-up to meeting, depending on how you look at it. Written by Jason Robert Brown, THE LAST 5 YEARS is an intensely personal look at the relationship between a writer and an actress told from both points of view.

The cast is composed of Adam Woolsey as JAMIE WELLERSTEIN and Jayna Katz as CATHERINE HIATT.

THE LAST 5 YEARS is Artistically Directed by Chip Mezo and Musically Conducted by Lora Spangler-Knight. Instrumentation includes a small string ensemble, fit for the JSO, comprised of piano, violin, cello, bass, and guitar.

General Admission: $15 per person. Reservations may be emailed to THELAST5YEARS.JSO@GMAIL.COM. Reservations are encouraged, as seating is limited.

Croswell presents LES MISERABLES, Student Edition

For this first time production starring students from throughout the region, the Croswell has added a matinee performance to its usual scheduling, as well as a Thursday evening performance. Curtain times for the performances are at 8:00pm on July 13, 14, 19, 20 & 21, and at 3:00pm on July 15, 21 and 22.  Tickets for the show are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors and students, and $15 for children 12 and under.

 

For information about tickets, call the Croswell Box Office at 517-264-SHOW (7469), stop in at the box office at 129 E. Maumee, Adrian, MI, Mon-Fri, 9-5 pm or visit the website, www.croswell.org.  For more information about the Croswell’s production of Les Misérables, please contact Nate Clark at 517-263-6868 or at nclark@croswell.org. ­­

Les Misérables is co-directed by Julie Dolan and Sue Smith, who also choreographs. Erin Pifer serves as assistant director, with music direction by Jonathan Sills. Scenic and lighting design is by Douglas Miller, costume design by Marianna Steele, sound design by Ian Thompson and Tyler Miller, and stage management by Janene Dusseau.

On Golden Pond at the Purple Rose

Borrowed & adapted with permission from Carla Milarch's Listing of Shows in AnnArbor.com. To read more, click on the links.

Show: “On Golden Pond”, by Ernest Thompson, through September 1
 Company: Purple Rose Theatre Company
 Type of Company: Professional Equity (SPT)
Venue/location: 137 Park Street, Chelsea
Recommended ages: 13+ (some mature language)

Description: This charming love story follows Ethel and Norman Thayer as they return to their summer home in Maine. Their respite is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of their estranged daughter, her fiancee, and his teenage son. Over the course of the summer, an unlikely friendship develops between Norman and the boy, which sparks a renewed zest for life in the Thayer family. In the twilight years of marriage, Ethel and Norman rediscover the joy and romance of every day living.
http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/jackson/index.ssf/2012/07/review_purple_roses_on_golden.html

Fun fact: The role of Billy Ray is shared by two high school students: Ian Bejster, of Dexter, and Milo Tucker-Meyer of Ann Arbor.
For tickets and information: 734-433-7673 or www.purplerosetheatre.org.