Jason Robert Brown’s musical The Last Five Years has replaced the previously scheduled Crimes of the Heart at Signature Theatre. The production, directed by Washington ’s own Aaron Posner, will run April 2 – 28, 2013 in the MAX Theatre.
The Last Five Years is directed by Aaron Posner and stars James Gardiner and Erin Weaver.
Jason Robert Brown’s (Parade, and Songs for a New World) contemporary song cycle features an eclectic variety of music including pop, jazz, classical, folk and rock sung by Signature favorites James Gardiner (Chess, [title of show]) and Erin Weaver (Xanadu). Called “bittersweet and nearly perfect” by Variety, the show originally ran off-Broadway in 2002 and won two Drama Desk Awards that year for best lyrics and best score.
From first date to final goodbye, The Last Five Years chronicles the highs and lows of modern marriage in an intimate, honest and richly moving musical portrait. Through the course of 14 songs, rising novelist Jamie and struggling actress Cathy separately tell their own account of their five-year relationship. From the whimsical optimism of Jamie’s “Shiksa Goddess” to Cathy’s crushingly vulnerable “Still Hurting,” the young lovers explore their emotionally complex romance through beautifully haunting music and original lyrics.
CAST BIOS
James Gardiner (Jamie) – SIGNATURE: The Boy Detective Fails, The Hollow, I Capture the Castle, [title of show], Chess, Les Misérables, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Merrily We Roll Along, The Witches of Eastwick, Saving Aimee, and various cabarets. BROADWAY: Glory Days (book writer). DC AREA: Ford’s Theatre: Liberty Smith, A Christmas Carol (Associate Director); Olney Theatre Center: Little Shop of Horrors (2013 Helen Hayes nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Resident Musical), You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown; Adventure Theatre: Winnie the Pooh; Woolly Mammoth/UM: The Distance From Here; Kennedy Center: The Phantom Tollbooth, The Brand New Kid; Round House Theatre: A Prayer for Owen Meany; Studio Theatre: Dog Sees God. REGIONAL: Williamstown Theatre Festival; Everyman Theatre. TEACHING: George Mason University, Adjunct Faculty. UPCOMING: Signature Theatre: Company, Spin, Miss Saigon.
Erin Weaver (Cathy) – SIGNATURE: Xanadu (Kira, Helen Hayes nomination). NATIONAL TOUR: Les Misérables. DC AREA: Folger Theatre: Comedy of Errors (Luciana), Arcadia (Thomasina, Helen Hayes Award), The Tempest (Miranda), The Comedy of Errors (Luciana); Round House Theatre: A Murder, A Mystery & A Marriage (Mary); A Wrinkle in Time (Meg). REGIONAL: CalShakes: A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Arden: Into the Woods; Two River Theater: Our Town; Mary’s Wedding; You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown; People’s Light: The Miser, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Treasure Island, Jack & The Beanstalk, Robin Hood, Gossamer. EDUCATION: University of the Arts, BFA with honors.
The original schedule will remain the same with performances Tuesday through Sunday evenings, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Tuesday and Wednesday performances are at 7:30pm; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening performances are at 8:00pm; Sunday evening performances are at 7:00pm. Matinee performances are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoon at 2:00pm. Tickets start at $40 and are on sale now. Tickets are available by phone at (703) 573-SEAT, online, or in person at the Signature Box Office at 4200 Campbell Avenue in Shirlington.
Signature is also offering “$22 for Tuesdays,” making available a limited number of $22 tickets to the first two public Tuesday performances on April 2 and April16. A Pride performance is scheduled for April 19. Discussion performances are scheduled for April 17 and April 23.
