By Tina Arth and Darrell Baker
Theatre in the Grove’s production of The Last Five Years represents the realization of a long-time dream
for actors/directors James W. Grimes and Jenny Hauser. The 2-person musical is not part of TITG’s
regular season, but the company is offering a special pre-season two-week run
of this rarely produced one-act. Grimes and Hauser are making the most of this
opportunity, and the results are impressively entertaining.
The show is in some ways quite stereotypical – boy meets,
girl, they fall in love, time passes, the relationship sours and they separate.
However the structure is unique: the story of the five-year relationship is
told by Jamie (Grimes) from its beginning to the end, while Cathy (Hauser)
tells her side in reverse, starting with the breakup of their relationship and
working backwards to its inception. The only point in the show where the
stories coincide is at the time of their engagement/wedding, midway through the
play. There is very little dialogue, as the tale is told through a series of
seventeen songs, all solos except for “The Next Ten Minutes,” the duet they
sing in the middle.
Author/composer Jason Robert Brown’s score is a complex (and
sometimes dissonant) mixture of many musical styles, and requires both control
and a broad vocal range from the two performers. Grimes smoothly manages the
frequent transitions into his head voice, and Hauser’s powerful soprano is well
matched to the demands of this score. While none of the songs (except perhaps
Cathy’s poignant “Still Hurting”) are truly memorable on their own, they
effectively and efficiently tell the story. Most impressive is the two actors’
ability to convey the nuances of their characters’ vast emotional shifts (New
York nebbish to wunderkind, star-struck Ohio “shiksa goddess” to fragile failed
wanna-be) through song.
In a show with this much music, the orchestra is key – and
TITG has gathered a small but mighty group of artists, many drawn from local
high school and college programs. Music Director/Conductor Emilee Buchanan, a
Pacific University student completing her music education major, works wonders
with piano, bass, violin, cello, bass, and guitar – the music on opening night
seemed flawless, and provided ideal support to the two vocalists.
In addition to actor/director, Grimes also holds title to
set designer/builder and video designer, ensuring that the final product
fulfills his vision for the show. Sets are clever and extremely simple, which
is essential when the action shifts with such frequency from one character and
locale to another. Grimes’ use of video projection creates all the scenery
needed to take us from New York townhouses to moonlit lakes without slowing
down the pace of the production.
Because the show has only a two-week run, prospective
audience members who hesitate may have a long wait before they have another
opportunity to see The Last Five Years. Due
to mature language and themes, the show is not appropriate for younger viewers.
The Last Five Years
runs through September 14th at Theatre in the Grove, 2028 Pacific
Avenue, Forest Grove with performances at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday and
2:30 pm on Sunday.
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