When documenting a breakup there is bound to be bias. Therefore, when an ex-husband writes a musical that resembles his broken marriage, it's understandable that the male character is more captivating than the spouse.
"The Last Five Years" is a two-person musical that follows the relationship and marriage of Jamie (Devin Archer) a promising novelist and Catherine (Natalie Storrs) an aspiring actress. The show is inspired by author and composer Jason Robert Brown's marriage to actress Theresa O'Neill. What differentiates this from the "boy-meets-girl" story is the show's unconventional timeline. The two characters have separate narratives that move toward the other and only intersect during their wedding. Catherine's begins at the end of their relationship, just after Jamie's left her, and Jamie's starts when they first meet. The opening number sets the outcome, they will break-up and Jamie is the instigator, but in the next song he's excited about meeting her. It raises the question: How does Jamie change from being so in love to breaking Catherine's heart?
The two characters are dramatically different. Jamie is effervescent from the beginning and gradually declines, but Catherine is introduced distraught, due to her failed marriage. The "happiness" she expresses later on is unbelievable, and overshadowed by Jamie's defection. All of Catherine's songs are focused on her husband and the downfalls of their relationship, but Jamie has two separate and engaging stories of his own creation. Even the show fixates on Jamie and his "greatness."
Storrs is clear and capable as Catherine. She opens with an emotional song that affects her voice and is vocally accomplished, but her songs are limiting and force a nasally head-voice. While the lyrics are superficially equal, her music is unbalanced and occasionally fights with her voice. This never happens in any of Jamie's songs.
Catherine's song, "See I'm Smiling" is the perfect example, beginning with heartfelt lyrics and music that flows, but two-thirds through the chords change and become aggressive. The lyrics and piano feel offbeat; a sort of musical experiment. When they come back in sync and the tone is more powerful, but mostly because the previous was off-putting. The moment is calculated and purposeful, but distracting.
The show is full of great moments mixed with awkward or confusing music. There are too many Jewish words that, outside of New York, are hard to understand. Jamie's first song is titled "Shiksa Goddess," and has an obnoxious rhythm that imitates the "Sex and the City" theme song. It is unfortunate that the music is hit or miss because there is almost no dialogue; the entire show is done in song.
Even though you can understand the entire story from the soundtrack, seeing these two actors sustain this production makes it worthwhile. Archer and Storrs perform with feeling, evident both in their voices and their physical expressions. The experience of watching them execute back-to-back solos is energizing and is enhanced by the third character: the video design. The stage is set with a tiled background upon which photos are projected, reminding us that the other character is in the scene. The wedding is particularly compelling. The tiles fly up and a beautiful image of New York's central park is projected on a huge screen, while a small rowboat crosses the stage. Jamie proposes and they exchange rings while a cascade of flower petals (both real and digital) fall over them. This is the happiest they will ever be.
"The Last Five Years" portrays a real, flawed relationship, but fails to be objective. Try as she might, Storrs cannot compete with the persona of "Jamie" even though Catherine suffers the most.
"The Last Five Years" is playing at the La Mirada Theatre (14900 La Mirada Blvd.) through February 12th. Tickets start at $20. For more information visit, www.lamiradatheatre.com.
Contact contributor Bianca Richter at bsrichte@usc.edu.
Annenberg Media