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.