{{Short description|2001 musical by Jason Robert Brown}} {{about|the stage musical|the film adaptation|The Last Five Years (film){{!}}''The Last Five Years'' (film)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Infobox Musical | name = The Last Five Years | image = The Last Five Years Playbill.jpeg | caption = Original Off-Broadway playbill | music = [[Jason Robert Brown]] | lyrics = Jason Robert Brown | book = Jason Robert Brown | productions = 2001 [[Chicago]]<br /> 2002 [[Off-Broadway]]<br />2013 Off-Broadway [[revival (theatre)|revival]]<br />2015 [[Ireland]]<br />2016 [[Off West End|Off-West End]]<br />2021 [[West End theatre|West End]]<br />2025 [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] <!-- Please do not include production-specific (acting, directing, etc.) awards -->| image_size = | premiere_date = May 23, 2001 | premiere_location = [[Northlight Theatre]] | awards = [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music]]<br />[[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics]] }}
'''''The Last Five Years''''' is a [[Musical theatre|musical]] written by [[Jason Robert Brown]]. It premiered at Chicago's [[Northlight Theatre]] in 2001 and was then produced [[Off-Broadway]] in March 2002. Since then it has had numerous productions, both in the United States and internationally, and a [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] production in 2025.
The story explores a five-year relationship between Jamie Wellerstein, a rising novelist, and Cathy Hiatt,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jasonrobertbrown.com/songs/the-schmuel-song/ |title=The Schmuel Song |last=Brown |first=Jason Robert |date=May 22, 2012 | website=Jason Robert Brown |access-date=July 4, 2014}}</ref> a struggling actress. The show uses a form of storytelling in which Jamie's story is told in chronological order (starting just after the couple have first met) and Cathy's story is told in reverse chronological order (beginning the show at the end of the marriage). The characters do not directly interact except for a wedding song in the middle as their timelines intersect.
In 2014, a [[The Last Five Years (film)|film adaptation]] directed by [[Richard LaGravenese]] starring [[Anna Kendrick]] and [[Jeremy Jordan (actor, born 1984)|Jeremy Jordan]] was released.
==Background== ''The Last Five Years'' was inspired by Brown's failed marriage to Theresa O'Neill. O'Neill sued Brown on the grounds that the story of the musical violated non-disparagement and non-disclosure agreements within their divorce decree by representing her relationship with Brown too closely. Brown, in turn, sued O'Neill for interfering with his creative work and his creative process. As part of the legal settlement for both suits, Brown removed all references to Cathy being [[Irish Catholic]], and changed the song "I Could Be in Love With Someone Like You" to "Shiksa Goddess" in order to reduce the similarity between the character and O'Neill.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/16/AR2005061600708.html|first=Scott|last=Vogel|title=Young Composer's Wonder "Years"|newspaper=Washington Post|date=June 17, 2005|access-date=May 4, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Riedel |first=Michael |title='Last Five Years' a Musical Marriage-Go-Round |url=https://nypost.com/2002/03/06/last-5-years-a-musical-marriage-go-round/ |website=New York Post |date=March 6, 2002}}</ref>
==Synopsis== Cathy is sitting alone lamenting the end of her marriage ("Still Hurting").
Five years earlier, Jamie has just met Cathy. He is overjoyed that, for the first time in his life, he is in a romantic relationship with a non-Jewish woman. ("Shiksa Goddess").
Cathy and Jamie are in [[Ohio]] but not together. It is her birthday, and he has come to visit her as she works in a show there ("See I'm Smiling"). She is anxious to fix any problems in their marriage but she becomes angry when Jamie tells her he has to go back early to New York. During breaks in the music, we see a younger Jamie, talking to a [[literary agent]] about his book.
Jamie is moving in with Cathy. He comments on how lucky he is that everything is going right for him; his book is being published and his life with Cathy seems too good to be true ("Moving Too Fast"). Meanwhile, an older Cathy is making a call to her agent; it seems her career is not going the way she planned it.
Cathy is attending Jamie's book party. She sings about how he ignores her for his writing but she will always be in love with him ("I'm a Part of That").
Jamie and Cathy celebrate their second [[Christmas]]. He tells her a new story he has written about an old tailor named Schmuel and he gives her a Christmas present: a watch, promising to support her as she follows her dreams of acting. ("The Schmuel Song").
Cathy is in Ohio and writing to Jamie. She describes to Jamie her disappointing life in Ohio among her eccentric colleagues ("A Summer in Ohio").
Jamie is sitting with Cathy in [[Central Park]]. Jamie proposes to her and, for the first time in the musical, they sing together ("The Next Ten Minutes"). They get married, exchanging vows to stay together forever.
Jamie is facing temptation from other women, especially now that his career as a writer has escalated ("A Miracle Would Happen"). Cathy, meanwhile, is auditioning for a role ("When You Come Home to Me"). She is feeling depressed because of the rejection she is facing in her acting career, and she complains to Jamie about it ("Climbing Uphill").
Jamie speaks to Cathy on the phone, trying to convince her that there is nothing going on with him and his editor, Elise. He wants to celebrate a book review, but Cathy refuses to go out.
Jamie is fighting with Cathy, trying to get her to listen to him. He accuses her of being unsupportive of his career just because hers is failing. Though his words are harsh, he promises her that he believes in her ("If I Didn't Believe in You").
A younger Cathy is in the car with Jamie, who is going to meet her parents. She tells him about her past relationships and hopes not to end up in a small town life like her friend from high school ("I Can Do Better Than That"). She asks Jamie to move in with her.
Near the end of the relationship, Jamie wakes up beside another woman ("Nobody Needs to Know"). He tries to defend his actions and blames Cathy for destroying his privacy and their relationship. Jamie promises not to lie to this woman and tells her that "I could be in love with someone like you," just as he said to Cathy in "Shiksa Goddess".
Cathy is ecstatic after her first date with Jamie. She sings goodbye ("Goodbye Until Tomorrow"). She proclaims that she has been waiting for Jamie her whole life. Simultaneously but five years forward, Jamie sits in their shared apartment writing laments over the relationship ("I Could Never Rescue You"). As Cathy waves Jamie "goodbye until tomorrow", Jamie wishes Cathy simply "goodbye".
==Music== {{Listen | filename = The Next Ten Minutes - L5Y 2002.ogg | title = "The Next Ten Minutes" | description = The duet between Jamie and Cathy in "The Next Ten Minutes", as performed by Sherie Rene Scott and Norbert Leo Butz on the 2002 Off-Broadway cast recording. | format = [[Ogg]] }} The musical style draws on a number of musical genres, including [[Pop music|pop]], [[jazz]], [[european classical music|classical]], [[Klezmer]], [[Latin music (genre)|Latin]], [[Blues]], [[Rock and roll|Rock]], and [[Folk music|Folk]]. The orchestration consists of [[piano]], [[acoustic guitar]], [[fretless bass]], two [[cello]]s, one doubling on [[celesta]] and [[tubular bell]], and [[violin]], doubling [[cymbal]].<ref>[http://www.mtishows.com/show_songs.asp?ID=000240 MTI Shows song list] MTI shows</ref>
* "Still Hurting" - Cathy * "Shiksa Goddess" - Jamie * "See I'm Smiling" - Cathy * "Moving Too Fast" - Jamie * "A Part of That" - Cathy * "The Schmuel Song" - Jamie * "A Summer in Ohio" - Cathy * "The Next Ten Minutes" - Jamie & Cathy * "A Miracle Would Happen/When You Come Home to Me" - Jamie/Cathy * "Climbing Uphill/Audition Sequence" - Cathy * "If I Didn't Believe in You" - Jamie * "I Can Do Better Than That" - Cathy * "Nobody Needs to Know" - Jamie * "Goodbye Until Tomorrow/I Could Never Rescue You" - Jamie & Cathy
===Cast album=== ''The Last Five Years'' cast album was released by [[Sh-K-Boom Records]] in April 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.castalbums.org/recordings/644 |work=Cast Albums |title=The Last Five Years Original Off-Broadway Cast |access-date=October 16, 2007}}</ref>
== Casts ==
{| class="wikitable" style="width:1000px;" |- ! rowspan="2" | Character ! Chicago<ref name=":1" /> ! Off-Broadway<ref name=":0" /> ! Off-Broadway Revival<ref name=":2" /> ! Town Hall NYC Concert ! Off-West End<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=November 1, 2016 |title=First Look at Samantha Barks and Jonathan Bailey in The Last Five Years |url=https://playbill.com/article/first-look-at-samantha-barks-and-jonathan-bailey-in-the-last-five-years |website=Playbill}}</ref> !West End !Broadway !25th Anniversary Concert Tour |- !2001 !2002 !2013 ! colspan="2" | 2016 !2021 !2025 !2026 |- ! Jamie Wellerstein | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|[[Norbert Leo Butz]] | style="text-align:center;"|[[Adam Kantor]] | style="text-align:center;"|[[Joshua Henry]] | style="text-align:center;"|[[Jonathan Bailey]] | align=center | [[Oli Higginson]] | align=center | [[Nick Jonas]] | align=center | [[Ben Platt]] |- ! Cathy Hiatt | style="text-align:center;"|[[Lauren Kennedy]] | style="text-align:center;"|[[Sherie Rene Scott]] | style="text-align:center;"|[[Betsy Wolfe]] | style="text-align:center;"|[[Cynthia Erivo]] | style="text-align:center;"|[[Samantha Barks]] | align=center | [[Molly Lynch]] | align=center | [[Adrienne Warren]] | align=center | [[Rachel Zegler]] |}
==Production history==
===Chicago (2001)=== The show debuted at [[Northlight Theatre]] in [[Skokie, Illinois]], in 2001, running from May 23 – July 1. The production starred [[Lauren Kennedy]] as Cathy and [[Norbert Leo Butz]] as Jamie.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Kenneth |title=Marriage Dissected: Brown's Musical, ''Last Five Years'', Opening May 23 in IL |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/marriage-dissected-browns-musical-last-five-years-opening-may-23-in-il-com-96769 |website=Playbill |access-date=November 26, 2021 |date=May 23, 2001}}</ref>
===Off-Broadway (2002)=== The show opened [[Off-Broadway]] at the Minetta Theatre on March 2, 2002, and closed May 5, 2002, directed by [[Harold Prince]]'s daughter, Daisy Prince, with Butz again starring alongside [[Sherie Rene Scott]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Brantley |first=Ben |title=THEATER REVIEW; Novelist and an Actress Sharing a Leaky Boat |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/04/theater/theater-review-novelist-and-an-actress-sharing-a-leaky-boat.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=November 26, 2021 |date=March 4, 2002}}</ref> (Kennedy was unable to reprise her role due to taking a role in ''[[South Pacific (musical)|South Pacific]]'' in London.<ref>{{cite web|last=Frank |first=Jonathan |url=http://www.talkinbroadway.com/sound/apr1603.html |title=Talkin' Broadway - Sound Advice: 4/16/03 |publisher=Talkinbroadway.com |access-date=April 5, 2015}}</ref>) The production won the 2002 [[Drama Desk Award]] for Outstanding Music and Lyrics, as well as receiving Drama Desk nominations for Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Actor, Outstanding Actress, Outstanding Orchestrations, and Outstanding Set Design.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Kenneth |last2=Simonson |first2=Robert |title=Drama Desk Awards Announced; ''Goat'', ''Metamorphoses'' Tie for Best Play, ''Millie'' Scores |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/drama-desk-awards-announced-goat-metamorphoses-tie-for-best-play-millie-scores-com-105900 |website=Playbill |access-date=November 26, 2021 |date=May 20, 2002}}</ref> It also received the [[Lucille Lortel Award]] nomination for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Actor, and the [[Outer Critics Circle Award]] nomination for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical.
===Off-Broadway revival (2013)=== The show was revived in 2013 Off-Broadway at the [[Second Stage Theater]] for a limited engagement with [[Adam Kantor]] and [[Betsy Wolfe]] in the roles of Jamie and Cathy, respectively. Brown himself directed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/jason-robert-browns-the-last-five-years-will-get-off-broadway-revival-at-second-stage-com-194119|title=Jason Robert Brown's ''The Last Five Years'' Will Get Off-Broadway Revival at Second Stage|first=Adam|last=Hetrick|work=Playbill|date=May 30, 2012|access-date=November 26, 2021}}</ref> In March 2015, Kantor and Wolfe reprised their roles in a two-night-only concert production of the show at the [[American Conservatory Theater]] in [[San Francisco]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/san-francisco/article/Betsy-Wolfe-and-Adam-Kantor-to-Reprise-Roles-in-THE-LAST-FIVE-YEARS-at-ACT-This-March-20150326 |title=Betsy Wolfe and Adam Kantor Reprise Roles in THE LAST FIVE YEARS, Beginning Tonight at A.C.T |website=BroadwayWorld |date=March 27, 2014 |access-date=April 5, 2015}}</ref>
=== Off-West End (2016) === {{multiple image | image1 = Jonathan Bailey at Testament of Youth Premiere in October 2014 2.png | total_width = 280 | height1 = 260 | alt1 = Jonathan Bailey | image2 = Samantha Barks.png | height2 = 260 | alt2 = Samantha Barks | footer = [[Jonathan Bailey]] and [[Samantha Barks]] headlined the acclaimed Off-West End revival of the musical directed by [[Jason Robert Brown]] in 2016. }} The 2016 production was headlined by [[Jonathan Bailey]] as Jamie and [[Samantha Barks]] as Cathy at [[St. James Theatre, London|St. James Theatre]], with direction by Brown himself.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Theatre flashbacks: Jonathan Bailey and Samantha Barks in The Last Five Years {{!}} WhatsOnStage |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/theatre-flashbacks-jonathan-bailey-samantha-barks_53264.html |access-date=May 28, 2022 |website=www.whatsonstage.com |date=January 29, 2021 |language=en-GB}}</ref> ''[[The Stage]]''{{'}}s [[Mark Shenton]] called the production "poignant" turning "each song into a masterclass of storytelling" with Bailey "a real vocal surprise with his haunting renditions of 'If I Didn't Believe in You' and 'Nobody Needs to Know'."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shenton |first=Mark |date=November 2, 2016 |title=The Last Five Years review, St James Theatre, London, 2016 |url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/jason-robert-browns-the-last-five-years-review-at-st-james-theatre--poignant |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510161241/https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/jason-robert-browns-the-last-five-years-review-at-st-james-theatre--poignant |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |website=The Stage}}</ref> [[Edward Seckerson]] of [[The Arts Desk]] called the production a "knockout" and a "two-handed tour-de-force" in his five-star review.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 4, 2016 |title=The Last Five Years, St James Theatre |url=https://theartsdesk.com/theatre/last-five-years-st-james-theatre |access-date=June 1, 2022 |website=theartsdesk.com |language=en}}</ref>
It won the [[WhatsOnStage Awards|WhatsOnStage Award]] for Best Off-West End Production in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The WhatsOnStage Award for Best Off-West End Production goes to The Last Five Years |url=https://twitter.com/whatsonstage/status/833404272557617152 |access-date=May 28, 2022 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref> A [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaYkbc-9eo8&ab_channel=MusicalSparks video of Bailey's audition singing "If I Didn't Believe In You"] was uploaded on YouTube in 2017, and has since gone viral.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 11, 2022 |first=Nick |last=Levine |title=10 Things You Never Knew About Bridgerton Actor Jonathan Bailey {{!}} Anglophenia {{!}} BBC America |url=https://www.bbcamerica.com/blogs/10-things-you-never-knew-about-bridgerton-actor-jonathan-bailey--1052861 |access-date=June 1, 2022 |website=BBC America}}</ref>
=== West End (2021) === An actor-musician production opened in February 2020 to four and five star reviews at [[Southwark Playhouse]] and was closed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clarendon |first=Emma |date=October 8, 2020 |title=Review Round Up: The Last Five Years, Southwark Playhouse |url=https://lovelondonloveculture.com/2020/10/08/review-round-up-the-last-five-years-southwark-playhouse/ |access-date=October 8, 2021 |website=Love London Love Culture |language=en-GB}}</ref> It transferred for a four-week run at the [[Garrick Theatre]] in London's West End between 17 September-17 to October 17, 2021 starring [[Oli Higginson]] and [[Molly Lynch]].<ref>{{cite web |title=THE LAST FIVE YEARS – An extended run at The Garrick Theatre |url=https://www.londonboxoffice.co.uk/news/post/last-five-years-extends |access-date=June 25, 2021 |publisher=LondonBoxOffice.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=June 25, 2021 |title=The Last Five Years |url=https://www.londonboxoffice.co.uk/the-last-5-years-tickets |access-date=June 25, 2021 |website=LondonBoxOffice.co.uk}}</ref>
=== Broadway (2025) === A production opened on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] at the [[Hudson Theatre]] in early 2025, starring [[Nick Jonas]] as Jamie and [[Adrienne Warren]] as Cathy, with [[Whitney White (director)|Whitney White]] directing and Jeff and Rick Kuperman choreographing.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-16 |title=Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren to Headline Broadway Production of The Last Five Years - TheaterMania.com |url=https://www.theatermania.com/news/nick-jonas-and-adrienne-warren-to-headline-broadway-production-of-the-last-five-years_1743047/ |access-date=2024-06-16 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Paulson |first=Michael |date=2024-06-16 |title=Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren to Star in 'Last Five Years' on Broadway |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/16/theater/nick-jonas-adrienne-warren-broadway.html |access-date=2024-06-16 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The limited run began in previews on March 18, 2025, before opening on April 6.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Adrienne Warren, Nick Jonas-Led Last Five Years Finds a Broadway Home {{!}} Playbill | url=https://playbill.com/article/adrienne-warren-nick-jonas-led-last-five-years-finds-a-broadway-home | access-date=2025-09-01 | website=playbill.com}}</ref> The orchestrations for the production were expanded with more strings and a drummer/percussionist added.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://playbill.com/article/the-last-five-years-broadway-production-will-feature-new-orchestrations|title=''The Last Five Years'' Broadway Production Will Feature New Orchestrations|first1=Diep|last1=Tran|first2=Margaret|last2=Hall|work=Playbill|date=January 17, 2025|accessdate=March 19, 2025}}</ref>
Reviews were mixed to negative, with most critics praising Warren but criticizing Jonas's performance and White's direction. Jesse Green at ''[[The New York Times]]'' called Warren "resplendent" and Jonas "underpowered", writing, "the structure (along with the balance) has been compromised. The production ... muddies the show’s temporal ironies and flattens its emotional topography".<ref>{{cite web|date=2025-04-06 |title=Review: How 'The Last Five Years' Became a Blur on Broadway|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/06/theater/last-five-years-broadway-nick-jonas-adrienne-warren.html|access-date=2025-04-07 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Johnny Oleksinski for ''[[New York Post]]'' commented: "Audiences always deserve clarity, but ''The Last Five Years'' must be especially well-defined in its staging and performances, since the weird structure is jarring to the uninitiated".<ref>{{cite web|date=2025-04-06 |title='The Last Five Years' review: Nick Jonas musical is the worst of the Broadway season|url=https://nypost.com/2025/04/06/entertainment/the-last-five-years-review-nick-jonas-musical-is-the-worst-of-the-broadway-season/|access-date=2025-04-07 |work=The New York Post |language=en-US}}</ref> The production received a [[Drama League Award]] nomination for Outstanding Revival of a Musical, while Jonas and Warren each receiving nominations for Outstanding Performance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Culwell-Block |first=Logan |date=April 22, 2025 |title=2025 Drama League Awards Nominations Are Out; Read the Full List |url=https://playbill.com/article/2025-drama-league-awards-nominations-are-out-read-the-full-list |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Playbill}}</ref> The production closed on June 22, 2025, after 19 previews and 89 regular performances.<ref>Rosky, Nicole. [https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/3-Broadway-Shows-Close-Today-20250622 "3 Broadway Shows Close Today"], BroadwayWorld, June 22, 2025.</ref>
=== 25th Anniversary Concert Tour (2026) === [[Ben Platt]] and [[Rachel Zegler]] starred in the 25th anniversary concert production of the show in various performances from March 24 to April 7, 2026, directed and conducted by [[Jason Robert Brown]] at the [[London Palladium]], [[Hollywood Bowl]], and [[Radio City Music Hall]].<ref>Gans, Andrew [https://playbill.com/article/rachel-zegler-and-ben-platt-will-explore-the-last-five-years-at-hollywood-bowl-and-radio-city-music-hall Rachel Zegler and Ben Platt Will Explore The Last Five Years at Hollywood Bowl and Radio City Music Hall] Playbill, February 3, 2026</ref>
===Other productions=== * The Last Five Years had its international debut in Manila, Philippines, in 2003 with Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Audie Gemora, and again in 2014 with Nikki Gil and Joaquin Pedro Valdes. [https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2003/08/26/218590/acclaimed-musical-last-five-years-premieres-philippines Asian Premiere] [https://theaterfansmanila.com/now-streaming-the-last-five-years-musical-is-online9-2/ Theatre Fans Manila] * The show had its Danish premiere March 8, 2012, at Fredericia Teater. The production was directed by Daniel Bohr and starred Lars Mølsted as Jamie and Maria Skuladottir as Cathy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Juul |first=Thomas |date=2012-03-09 |title=Når musical kan mærkes {{!}} frdb.dk |url=https://frdb.dk/fredericia/naar-musical-kan-maerkes |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=frdb.dk |language=da}}</ref> * The show premiered in Paris, France,<ref name=":2">{{cite web|last=Gans|first=Andrew|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/jason-robert-browns-the-last-five-years-and-benj-pasek-and-justin-pauls-edges-will-make-paris-debuts-for-limited-engagement-com-206298|title=Jason Robert Brown's ''The Last Five Years'' and Benj Pasek and Justin Paul's ''Edges'' Will Make Paris Debuts for Limited Engagement|work=Playbill|date=June 7, 2013}}</ref> in 2013 presented by [[American Musical Theatre Live]] featuring Jonathan Wagner as Jamie and [[Miranda Crispin]] as Cathy.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pirolli|first=Bryan|url=http://www.timeout.com/paris/en/arts-culture/theatre/the-last-5-years|title=The Last 5 Years|website=TimeOut Paris|date=July 22, 2015 }}</ref> * The show was given its Northern Irish premiere at The [[Lyric Theatre, Belfast]] in 2015, running for a limited engagement. It starred [[Fra Fee]] as Jamie and [[Amy Lennox]] as Cathy. The production was directed by Stephen Whitson.<ref name=":3">{{cite web|title=The Last Five Years – Lyric Theatre, Belfast|url=http://musicaltheatrereview.com/the-last-five-years-lyric-theatre-belfast/|website=Musical Theatre Review|date=July 1, 2015}}</ref> * The show premiered in Stockholm, Sweden, at Teaterstudio Lederman in April 2018. It starred Emil Nyström as Jamie and Cilla Silvia as Cathy. The production was directed by Robin Karlsson, with music direction by Johan Mörk.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/sweden/article/BWW-Review-THE-LAST-5-YEARS-at-TeaterStudio-Lederman-20180413|title=BWW Review: THE LAST 5 YEARS at TeaterStudio Lederman|last=Stolt|first=Annette|work=BroadwayWorld|date=April 13, 2018|access-date=April 23, 2018|language=en}}</ref> * In 2018, the show premiered in São Paulo, Brazil, at Teatro Viradalata in its first season (2018),<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cenamusical.com.br/the-last-five-years-ganha-versao-brasileira-com-beto-sargentelli-e-eline-porto/|title="The Last Five Years" ganha versão brasileira com Beto Sargentelli e Eline Porto|work=CenaMusical|date=April 13, 2018|access-date=August 7, 2023|language=pt}}</ref> and at Teatro Nair Bello in its second season (2019).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mundodosmusicais.wpcomstaging.com/2019/07/16/os-ultimos-5-anos-retorna-aos-palcos-de-sao-paulo-em-curtissima-temporada/|title="OS ÚLTIMOS 5 ANOS" RETORNA AOS PALCOS DE SÃO PAULO EM CURTÍSSIMA TEMPORADA|work=MundoDosMusicais|date=July 16, 2019|access-date=August 7, 2023|language=pt}}</ref> In 2023, the show returns for its third season in Brazil, at Teatro Nair Bello.<ref name="AbroadwayEAqui">{{Cite news|url=https://abroadwayeaqui.com.br/2023/08/04/os-ultimos-5-anos-retorna-a-sao-paulo-apos-duas-temporadas-de-sucesso/|title="Os Últimos 5 Anos" retorna a São Paulo após duas temporadas de sucesso|work=AbroadwayEAqui|date=July 23, 2023|access-date=August 7, 2023|language=pt}}</ref> The production was made by H. Produções Culturais, Lumus Entretenimento and Andarilho Filmes. "Os Últimos 5 anos" (PT-BR title) was directed by João Fonseca, with music direction by Thiago Gimenes, starring [[:pt:Beto Sargentelli|Beto Sargentelli]] as Jaimie Wellerstein and [[:pt:Eline Porto|Eline Porto]] as Cathy Hyatt in all of its three seasons. The Brazilian production also won several awards and nominations in the most important awards of the genre in Brazil, including "Best Actor", "Best Actress" and "Best Musical".<ref name="AbroadwayEAqui"/> * The show premiered in Basel, Switzerland, presented by Boutique Theatre Basel in June 2019. It starred Anthony Hehir as Jamie and Sarah Madeleine as Cathy. The production was directed by Susan Brownfield and choreographed by Gara Roda.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Meyer|first=Dan|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/the-last-five-years-to-reopen-at-southwark-playhouse-in-london|title = ''The Last Five Years'' Announces Additional Dates at Southwark Playhouse in London|website=Playbill|date = September 14, 2020}}</ref> * On September 12, 2016, Jason Robert Brown, along with [[SubCulture]], presented a one-night-only benefit for the Brady Center to prevent gun violence. [[The Town Hall (New York City)|The Town Hall]] in New York City hosted this event. [[Cynthia Erivo]] played Cathy, and [[Joshua Henry]] played Jamie. Jason Robert Brown conducted the orchestra.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fierberg |first=Ruthie |title=What Happened at Last Night's ''Last Five Years'' Concert? |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/what-happened-at-last-nights-the-last-five-years-concert |website=Playbill |date=September 13, 2016}}</ref> * In June 2019, the musical was directed by [[Jason Alexander]] in a production in [[Syracuse, New York]]. Alexander introduced two dancers who shadow the characters of Jamie and Cathy; reviewer Linda Lowen wrote, "With approval from Brown, Alexander's vision has resulted in a production more interactive, more compelling, more visual, and more suited to those twenty-something millennials who -- like Jamie and Cathy -- grapple with love, career, independence and commitment."<ref>{{cite news |title='Last Five Years' at Syracuse Stage a unique, gorgeous and innovative production (Review) |last=Lowen |first=Linda |date=June 2, 2019 |work=Syracuse Post-Standard |url=https://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/2019/06/last-five-years-at-syracuse-stage-a-unique-gorgeous-and-innovative-production-review.html}}</ref> * A 20th anniversary concert with [[Norbert Leo Butz]] and [[Lauren Kennedy]] accompanied by [[Jason Robert Brown]] took place in May 2021, online via YouTube.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Moynihan|first=Caitlin|title=Watch Original ''The Last Five Years'' Stars Norbert Leo Butz & Lauren Kennedy Reunite (and Sing!) for the Musical's 20th Anniversary|url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/200820/watch-original-the-last-five-years-stars-norbert-leo-butz-lauren-kennedy-reunite-and-sing-for-the-musicals-20th-anniversary/|date=May 24, 2021|access-date=August 19, 2021|website=Broadway.com|language=en}}</ref> * In autumn 2022, the original English version of the musical opened in [[Freiburg im Breisgau]] ([[Germany]]), starring Gabriela Ryffel and Calum Melville. The production was directed by Natalia Voskoboynikova.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Opera Factory Freiburg {{!}} The Last Five Years {{!}} E-WERK |url=http://ewerk-freiburg.de/event/opera-factory-freiburg-the-last-five-years/ |access-date=October 8, 2022 |language=de-DE}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=u.a |first=Michael Rieper, Claudia Leonhardt |title=musicalzentrale - The Last Five Years - E-Werk Freiburg im Breisgau |url=https://musicalzentrale.de/index.php?service=0&subservice=2&details=11982 |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=musicalzentrale.de|date=February 22, 2022 }}</ref> * In June 2023, Barefoot Theatre Collaborative announced that the musical would be staged on September 29-October 15, 2023, to be directed by Topper Fabregas, with musical direction by Rony Fortich. The musical will star [[Gab Pangilinan]] as Cathy and Myke Salomon as Jamie. Both stars starred too in a hit Filipino musical, Mula Sa Buwan's run last August - September, December 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title='The Last Five Years' to be Staged this September|url=https://theaterfansmanila.com/the-last-five-years-to-be-staged-this-september/ |access-date=June 30, 2023 |website=theaterfansmanila.com|date=June 30, 2023 }}</ref> * In Spain, this musical has been in stage four times, the first three times has been in Barcelona in [[Catalan language|Catalan]]. The first time was in March 2006 with Xavier Thió and Elena Martinell, the second time was in January 2009 with Daniel Anglés and Pilar Capellades, and the three time was in 2011 with Daniel Anglés and Julie Atherton, and she sang in English,.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.love4musicals.com/2016/06/28/the-last-five-years/ | title=THE LAST FIVE YEARS, el musical | date=June 28, 2016 }}</ref> In March 2025 this musical came for the first time to Madrid and it was translated to Spanish by the director, Guillermo Sabariegos. Bea Carnicero and Paloma Alvargonzález are alternating the role of Cathy and Francis García and Borja del Real in the role of Jamie.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/spain/article/LOS-CINCO-LTIMOS-AOS-llega-a-Madrid-el-prximo-marzo-20250121 | title=LOS CINCO ÚLTIMOS AÑOS llega a Madrid el próximo marzo }}</ref> * Jyväskylä City Theatre, Finland, premiere at September 25, 2025. Directed by Anssi Valtonen, musically directed by Lasse Hirvi, and starring Sami Ulmanen as Jamie and Emmi Nieminen as Cathy.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.https://www.jklteatteri.fi/kaupunginteatteri/ohjelmisto/rakkauden-viisi-vuotta}}</ref>
==Film adaptation== {{main|The Last Five Years (film)}}
An adaptation starring [[Anna Kendrick]] and [[Jeremy Jordan (actor, born 1984)|Jeremy Jordan]] was directed by ''[[P.S. I Love You (film)|P.S. I Love You]]'' director [[Richard LaGravenese]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Gioia |first=Michael |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/jeremy-jordan-and-anna-kendrick-will-explore-the-last-five-years-on-screen-in-richard-lagravenese-adaptation-com-202753 |title=Jeremy Jordan and Anna Kendrick Will Explore ''The Last Five Years'' On Screen in Richard LaGravenese Adaptation |access-date=November 26, 2021}}</ref> The film premiered at the [[2014 Toronto International Film Festival]] and had a limited release in theatres in 2015. It received mixed to positive reviews; the [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reported a 59% approval rating.
==Awards and nominations== ===Chicago production=== {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Award !Category !Nominee !Result !Ref. |- |rowspan=3|2001 |rowspan=3|[[Jeff Awards]] |colspan=2|Best New Work |{{nom}} |rowspan=3|<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Kenneth |title=2000–2001 Jeff Nominees Include big, Hedwig, Hard Times, Lear and More |website=Playbill |date=2001-09-15 |url=https://playbill.com/article/2000-2001-jeff-nominees-include-big-hedwig-hard-times-lear-and-more-com-98597 |access-date=12 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Kenneth |title=Hard Times, Ballad of Little Jo Among Winners of 2001 Jeff Awards in Chicago |website=Playbill |date=2001-10-30 |url=https://playbill.com/article/hard-times-ballad-of-little-jo-among-winners-of-2001-jeff-awards-in-chicago-com-99597 |access-date=12 September 2025}}</ref> |- |Best Actor in a Principal Role in a Musical |[[Norbert Leo Butz]] |{{nom}} |- |Best Musical Direction |Tom Murray |{{nom}} |}
===Original Off-Broadway production=== {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Award !Category !Nominee !Result !Ref. |- |rowspan=10|2002 |rowspan=7|[[Drama Desk Award]] |colspan=2|[[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical|Outstanding Musical]] |{{nom}} |rowspan=7|<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Kenneth |title=Drama Desk Awards Announced: Goat, Metamorphoses Tie for Best Play; Millie Scores |website=Playbill |date=2005-05-02 |url=https://playbill.com/article/drama-desk-awards-announced-goat-metamorphoses-tie-for-best-play-millie-scores-com-105900 |access-date=12 September 2025}}</ref> |- |[[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical|Outstanding Actress in a Musical]] |[[Sherie Rene Scott]] |{{nom}} |- |[[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical|Outstanding Actor in a Musical]] |[[Norbert Leo Butz]] |{{nom}} |- |[[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music|Outstanding Music]] |rowspan=3|[[Jason Robert Brown]] |{{won}} |- |[[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics|Outstanding Lyrics]] |{{won}} |- |[[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations|Outstanding Orchestrations]] |{{nom}} |- |[[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design|Set Design of a Musical]] |[[Beowulf Boritt]] |{{nom}} |- |rowspan=2|[[Lucille Lortel Award]] |colspan=2|Outstanding Musical |{{nom}} |rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite web |title=2002 Nominees: Lucille Lortel Awards |website=Lucille Lortel Awards |url=https://lortelaward.com/2002-nominees/ |access-date=12 September 2025}}</ref> |- |Outstanding Actor in a Musical |[[Norbert Leo Butz]] |{{nom}} |- |[[Outer Critics Circle Award]] |colspan=2|[[Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical|Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical]] |{{nom}} |<ref>{{cite web |title=2001-2002 Outer Critics Circle Awards Winners & Nominees |website=Outer Critics Circle |url=https://outercritics.org/awards/2001-2002/ |access-date=12 September 2025}}</ref> |}
===2016 Off West End production=== {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Award !Category !Nominee !Result !Ref. |- |[[2017 WhatsOnStage Awards|2017]] |[[WhatsOnStage Awards]] |colspan=2|Best Off-West End Production |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://awards.whatsonstage.com/archive/2017-results/|title=2017 Results {{!}} WhatsOnStage|website=www.whatsonstage.com|language=en-GB|access-date=16 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915043821/http://awards.whatsonstage.com/archive/2017-results/ |archive-date=15 September 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> |}
===2021 West End production=== {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Award !Category !Nominee !Result !Ref. |- |rowspan=3|[[2022 WhatsOnStage Awards|2022]] |rowspan=3|[[WhatsOnStage Award]] |Best Musical Direction |Leo Munby |{{nom}} |rowspan=3|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/feb/27/back-to-the-future-and-frozen-dominate-whatsonstage-awards|title=Back to the Future and Frozen dominate WhatsOnStage awards|date=February 27, 2022|website=the Guardian}}</ref> |- |Best Sound Design |Adam Fisher |{{nom}} |- |colspan=2|Best Off-West End Production |{{nom}} |}
===2025 Broadway production=== {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Award !Category !Nominee !Result !Ref. |- |rowspan=3|2025 |rowspan=3|[[Drama League Awards]] |colspan=2|Outstanding Revival of a Musical |{{nom}} |rowspan=3|<ref>{{cite web |title=2025 Drama League Awards |website=Drama League |date=December 17, 2024 |url=https://dramaleague.org/2025-awards/ |access-date=12 September 2025}}</ref> |- |rowspan=2|[[Drama League Distinguished Performance Award|Distinguished Performance]] |[[Nick Jonas]] |{{nom}} |- |[[Adrienne Warren]] |{{nom}} |}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{Wikiquote}} * {{ibdb title|id=540016|title=The Last Five Years}} *[https://playbill.com/production/the-last-five-years-broadway-hudson-theatre-2025 ''The Last Five Years''] at [[Playbill]] Vault. *[http://www.iobdb.com/Production/339 ''The Last Five Years''] at the [[Internet Off-Broadway Database]]. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20071019084133/http://www.lortel.org//lla_archive/index.cfm?search_by=show&id=408 archive]) *[https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/04/theater/theater-review-novelist-and-an-actress-sharing-a-leaky-boat.html ''New York Times'' review, March 4, 2002] *[http://www.curtainup.com/last5years.html ''Curtain Up'' review, March 2002] *[http://www.mtishows.com/show_detail.asp?showid=000240 ''The Last Five Years''] at the Music Theatre International website
{{Jason Robert Brown}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Last Five Years, The}} [[Category:2001 musicals]] [[Category:Off-Broadway musicals]] [[Category:One-act musicals]] [[Category:Original musicals]] [[Category:Sung-through musicals]] [[Category:Two-handers]] [[Category:Broadway musicals]] [[Category:West End musicals]] [[Category:Musicals by Jason Robert Brown]] [[Category:Musicals inspired by real-life events]] [[Category:Musicals set in Ohio]]