Carnegie Theatre Season to Close with THE LAST FIVE YEARS

Relationships are complicated. They evolve over time and look different to everyone involved. Issues that are clear at the end of a relationship may not look like problems at the beginning. THE LAST FIVE YEARS, playing at The Carnegie weekends April 9-24, 2016, explores the relationship of Jamie and Cathy, a young couple struggling to find balance between career and relationship.

In a creative twist that makes this show pure magic, Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist Jason Robert Brown takes us on an adventure through their story, following Jamie from the beginning of their romance to the end and following Cathy from the end to the beginning. Their storytelling overlaps for just a moment, on the day of their wedding, for one of the most beautiful duets ever written for the musical theatre.

"The LAST FIVE YEARS is a great piece of contemporary theatre, with a brilliant score," said Carnegie Theatre Director Maggie Perrino. "The storytelling is unique because you see the build-up and the let-down at the same time and question the perspective and reliability of the narrators."

The LAST FIVE YEARS features a two-person cast, with Leslie Kelly as Cathy and Wes Carman as Jamie. In addition to being accomplished vocalists and actors, Kelly and Carman are both accomplished musicians. Kelly will play some of the songs on piano while Carman will play cello.

Those who have seen the movie adaptation of THE LAST FIVE YEARS starring Academy Award and Tony Award nominee Anna Kendrick and Tony Award and Grammy Award nominee Jeremy Jordan, will enjoy the scenic twist that Tyler Gabbard created for the show.

"The set is almost entirely based on doors and serves as an analogy for the emotions of the characters as they open and close the door to their relationship," said Perrino. "They can walk in and start something new, or walk out and close the door as something ends."

Performances of THE LAST FIVE YEARS run weekends April 9-24, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m. The Tristate Chamber Players will perform pieces by Strauss in the gallery for a special happy hour prior to the two Friday evening performances. The appearance of the Tristate Chamber Players is made possible through generous funding from the Ohio Arts Council and members of the community.

Tickets for THE LAST FIVE YEARS are $28, $25 for Carnegie Members and Enjoy the Arts Members. Patrons interested in member, student, and group discounts should call The Carnegie Box Office at (859) 957-1940. Tickets to Carnegie Theater Series performances are available at The Carnegie Box Office, open Tuesday through Friday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., online at www.thecarnegie.com, or by phone at (859) 957-1940.

About Leslie Kelly - Cathy - Leslie is honored to make her Carnegie debut stepping into the role of Cathy, which she first played at the Vanderbilt University Theatre, 8 years ago. She recently performed with new Cincinnati company GoodPeople Theatre in OTR and is preparing for CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (Brenda) with Showbiz Players. Other favorite roles include City Theater Company's AMERICAN IDIOT (Heather) in the Delaware/Philadelphia regional premier, ANYTHING GOES! (Hope), INTO THE WOODS (Little Red u/s), A CHORUS LINE, THE WIZARD OF OZ (Dorothy), HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING (Rosemary). By day, Leslie works for University of Cincinnati.

About Wes Carman - Jamie - Wes Carman is excited to return to the Carnegie to play one of his favorite roles in theatre. He holds a BFA in Acting from Northern Kentucky University and has spent the last year touring with Cincinnati Children's Theatre's ArtReach program. Notable credits include: Paul in COMPANY at The Carnegie and Bailey Miller in PLUTO at The Know Theatre. NKU credits include King Arthur in SPAMALOT, Philo Farnsworth in THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION, and Warner in LEGALLY BLONDE.

About Lindsey Mercer - Director - Lindsey Augusta Mercer is a Cleveland native who moved to Cincinnati just over two years ago to begin her career as a Director. Since arriving in the Queen City, her work has been seen with companies such as; Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM- Tour), Diogenes Theatre (SAINT JOAN, DEATH AND THE MAIDEN), Concert:Nova, (LE MARIÉS DE LA TOUR EIFFEL, LES SALON CABARET), Falcon Theatre (THE MYSTERY PLAYS), and New Edgecliff Theatre, (THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED). She frequently directs staged readings for the Queen City Queer Theatre Collective which she proudly co-founded and now oversees as the Producing Artistic Director. You may have even caught her onstage last year at the Know Theatre, or Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Immersing herself in the diverse offerings of local theaters, Lindsey is passionate about pulling the styles and approaches from every experience, classical to abstract, pipeline to devised- and melding a creative style that presents itself in new forms and stories. She graduated with a BA in Theatre, Music, and History from Baldwin Wallace University, and hopes to soon obtain an MFA in Directing. She is thrilled and grateful to be working with the Carnegie on this special show with her own beautiful fiancée, Erin.

About Erin McCamley - Music Director - Erin McCamley is a conductor, music director, composer, and actor. Erin received her BM in Music Composition from Baldwin-Wallace University Conservatory of Music and has two albums of original music. She music directs at Notre Dame Academy, Milford High School, and is the choir director at Heritage UU Church. Since discovering conducting in college, she has conducted orchestras all over the world. Favorite experiences include conducting the CCM Philharmonia Orchestra for LA CENERENTOLA, DON CARLOS, and L'ELISIR D'AMORE; music directing COMPANY at The Carnegie; and spending the summer of 2014 conducting LA RONDINE and GIANNI SCHICCHI in Arezzo, Italy.

About Tyler Gabbard - Scenic Designer - A Northern Kentucky native and resident of Covington, Tyler is thrilled to be back at the Carnegie. He previously stage managed SWEENEY TODD in 2014. By day, Tyler is the Events and Publicity Manager for the School of the Arts at Northern Kentucky University. He has worked professionally in New York City and locally. Scenic design credits include THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, URINETOWN, ALL SHOOK UP, THE PHYSICISTS, THE MADRAS HOUSE, THE WOMEN OF LOCKERBIE, SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, CELEBRATED SILENCE, and the world premiere of SOLDIER'S CHRISTMAS. His scenic design work can also be seen at NKU this month for INTO THE WOODS, running April 21 - May 1. Favorite management/admin credits include MATILDA THE MUSICAL, JERSEY BOYS, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Broadway); THE SUBMISSION, WILD ANIMALS YOU SHOULD KNOW, THREE SISTERS, FAY CAMP THE MUSICAL (Off-Broadway); Mayor's Awards for Arts and Culture, (Lincoln Center); THE WHO'S TOMMY, DINNER AT EIGHT (NYU). He currently serves as the Media Relations Chair on the board of the League of Cincinnati Theatres. Tyler received his BFA from New York University/Tisch School of the Arts.

The Carnegie is Northern Kentucky's largest multidisciplinary arts venue providing theatre events, educational programs and art exhibitions to the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati community. The Carnegie facility is home to The Carnegie Galleries, the Otto M. Budig Theatre, and the Eva G. Farris Education Center. More information about The Carnegie is available at www.thecarnegie.com or by calling (859) 491-2030.

The Carnegie receives ongoing operating support from ArtsWave, Cincinnati Wine Festival, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Kenton County Fiscal Courts, the Kentucky Arts Council and the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. / US Bank Foundation.

THE LAST FIVE YEARS is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019. Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com.

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