http://www.artsyl.org/Calendar.htm#What:%20The%20Last%205%20Years

Jason Robert Brown's "The Last 5 Years" won accolades and aficionados for its moving depiction of contemporary romance, a temporary state of utter bliss followed by an agonizing downslide of bitterness. Brown's brilliant and unusual story line is based on his own experience. Chance's Artistic Director, Oanh Nguyen, directs this twosome tango of love, with musical direction by Rob Blaney, also on the piano.

Jocelyn A. Brown is Cathy, a nice Irish shiksa, and Bob Simpson Jamie, an equally nice Jewish schmuel. The two perform an asynchronous duet, taking turns dueling through their musical tandem, he from start to finish, and she from end to beginning.

They met, fell in love, got married, and lived not forever happily after. Five short or long years later, they fell out of love and parted ways.

Told solely through a motley of songs in an astonishing range of styles, from ballads to rock, folk, waltz and Latin, the defining moments of the relationship are highlighted with joys and tears to anger and doubts.

With the thread of coming home, Cathy and Jamie briefly commune even if they cannot communicate, yet he cannot rescue her and ultimately both need an independence that marriage constrains.

John Robinson's simple set shows their world as a sleek stage, with two boxes symbolizing the couple's emotional distance.

Love is a fragile and magical thing, doomed to failure for many if not most. It takes courage to acknowledge a staid and stale marital bed and face an uncertain future.

Brown and Simpson beguile as they share their wrenching tale accompanied by live music with Kyle Cahill on guitar and Jerry Motto on bass.

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