James Gardiner & Erin Weaver to Lead THE LAST FIVE YEARS at Signature Theatre

Signature Theatre has just announced the addition of the acclaimed musical The Last Five Years to this spring's programming. The production, directed by Washington's own Aaron Posner, will run April 2 - 28, 2013 in the MAX Theatre.

Jason Robert Brown's (Parade, 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.

The Last Five Years replaces the previously scheduled Crimes of the Heart. All performance dates and times will remain the same as originally scheduled. Performances are 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 at signature-theatre.org, 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.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos