The Last Five Years

Overview

The Last Five Years is a two-person drama that explores a five-year relationship between Jamie Wellerstein, a rising novelist, and Cathy Hyatt, a struggling actress.

The guy tells the story forwards, and the girl tells the story backwards and the only time they’re in the same moment on stage together is exactly halfway through. Written by one of the best young composer/playwrights on Broadway, Jason Robert Brown, it’s a beautifully crafted show which delves into the classic themes of love, lust, success and its expenses.

The musical was inspired by composer Brown's failed marriage to Theresa O'Neill. Word is O'Neill threatened legal action on the grounds that the musical too accurately depicted her relationship with Brown.