ONLY HALF OF THE LAST FIVE YEARS WORTH SEEING

/>Composer and Lyricist Jason Robert Brown is best known for his Tony Award winning score Parade as well as the musical revue Songs for a New World.  However, one of his most powerful works and simply marvelous scores is the seldom performed The Last Five Years, currently being produced by One Theatre Company at the Athenaeum. The Last Five Years is an intensely personal look at the relationship between a writer and an actress told from both points of view.

Jamie, played magnificently by Andrew Weir, reveals his story in "forward time" from their first date through their wedding and ultimately their separation. At the same time, Cathy, played unbearably by Diane Mair, relates the story in "reverse." She starts with their breakup and moves backwards in time until their first date. The show is made mostly of solo turns, with beautiful music, heartfelt lyrics, and at times, humorous moments.  

Andrew Weir's vocals are very strong and his acting is top notch.  There is a certain charisma about him that makes the audience immediately relate to him.  You are excited with him when he goes on his first date, you laugh with him at the show stealing number "The Schmuel Song," and you want to cry for him when the inevitable break-up occurs.  Weir gives as solid a performance as you'll see on a Chicago stage this season, which would make Jason Robert Brown proud.

However, before running out to see this performance you should know that Diane Mair's performance is the complete opposite of Weir.  She sings out of tune the entire night, and her acting is so weak that it makes you wonder why she was cast as Cathy.  A show that only has two people should have been extremely easy to cast in a city that has so many talented actresses. The audience grimaces every time she sings and can not connect with her because much of her singing and acting is done with her eyes closed. Her delivery of lines is so scary that one might think she has just downed 3 double espresso lattes from Starbucks.

Director Joshua Solomon does a very nice job of moving the actors in the tiny space and he makes good use of the boxes that encompass the set design.  However, if he was in charge of casting he could definitely use some work in that area.  Mair was a late replacement for an actress already cast in the role of Cathy, but shame on One Theatre Company for not finding someone stronger. Their oversight on talent simply dampens what could have been a phenomenal production.

Last Five Years

When: Through July 2^nd

Where: Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, Chicago

Prices: $25