THE LAST FIVE YEARS at PORTLAND STAGE COMPANY

The Last Five Years, a poignant and unconventional musical by Jason Robert Brown, explores the complexities of love and relationships through a fragmented timeline. Unlike traditional musicals, the story unfolds from two perspectives, never quite meeting in the middle. Cathy, a passionate and ambitious actress, recounts the relationship chronologically, from the exhilarating beginnings of their love to the heartbreaking realization of its demise.

Meanwhile, Jamie, a successful but self-absorbed novelist, tells his story in reverse order, starting at the painful point of separation and rewinding to the initial spark of their connection. Through their interwoven songs, the audience witnesses both the highs and lows of their relationship, the misunderstandings and missed connections that ultimately lead to their downfall.

Authors

• Jason Robert Brown