4.13.2013

L is for Last Five Years


Today I'm talking about a show that is very near and dear to my heart. The Last Five Years, by Jason Robert Brown, is about Jamie and Cathy, a couple who meet, marry, and divorce in the span of 5 years. They each take turns telling their side of their story - Cathy starts at the end of the story on the day their divorce is final, then Jamie sings about the beginning of their story on the day they meet. Their stories intersect in the middle of the show where they sing a duet on the day they get married.

The premise is very sad and maybe a little depressing, but it's also so beautifully done. Oddly enough, it's the show my husband and I sort of think of as "our show." I know, we may just be inviting bad kharma, but here's why. When JP and I started dating, he made a playlist of fun and sometimes romantic songs to listen to on our first date. Included was "Next Five Minutes," the song from their wedding scene in L5Y. I'd never heard of the show so I quickly got the album and fell in love with it while simultaneously falling in love with JP. (There aren't really any lines to speak of outside of the songs, so if you listen to the album, you know the show.) The little things we say to each other are often sweet lines from this show.

The reason this fits into my NYC theme is because there's currently a revival happening off-Broadway and JP and I have tickets on April 23 and I could not be any more excited!! I can't wait to tell you all about it!!

14 comments:

  1. How cool! I'm going to have to check this one out! =)

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  2. I am gonna check out this show! :)

    -Fellow blogger from A to Z!

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  3. Hello, Ashlee! I haven't heard of this show. It does sound sad :( That's cool you get to go to the off-Broadway show. Have fun!!

    Happy A to Z-ing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines

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  4. Sounds so very interesting. I'll have to look for it. New follower here. I'm stopping by from the "A to Z" challenge and I look forward to visiting again.

    Sylvia
    http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/

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  5. I have never heard of this show. It sounds like my kind of show though.
    Enjoy the show off Broadway. Sounds like a perfect date night.

    A to Z buddy
    Peanut Butter and Whine

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    1. Oh yes, definitely looking forward to the date part.

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  6. Never heard of this show, but it sounds amazing. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. :-)

    My Writing Blog
    My Life Blog

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  7. I love a little off-Broadway! Sounds like a perfect date night, even if it is a little grim. When I was in NYC last fall we saw "Grace" with Paul Rudd and Ed Asner. Heavy duty, nothing light about it... but good to see.

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    1. I heard really good things about Grace, but never saw it. I love Paul Rudd though.

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  8. Sounds interesting. :)

    -Fellow blogger from A to Z!

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  9. Never heard of it, but it sounds great!

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