BWW Previews: THE LAST FIVE YEARS TELLS A CAUTIONARY TALE at NYNE

Imagine putting a DVD of your life together in the player and forwarding through the mystery of new love, the excitement of moving in together, the happiness of your true love finding success in work, the bliss of engagement and a new marriage, the resentment of success, the end of a marriage. Now if you play it backwards from the relationship dissolution to its inception simultaneously, only pausing at the wedding in both versions, you have the premise for the musical named TIME Magazine's ten best shows of 2001, The Last Five Years.

Though when most think of this musical by Jason Robert Brown, it's in a concert or song cycle format. Not Your Normal Entertainment (NYNE) director Gabe Flores is hoping to bring something completely original to this story, by having the cast sing to one another, but not necessarily interact.

"We're exploring The Last Five Years in a different way. This is a very personal and honest story that hits every emotion," said Gabe. "This is Cathy and Jamie's relationship from beginning to end. It is vocally challenging because there are only two actors and virtually no dialogue."

Starring Devan Kelty and Rachel Rodriguez, The Last Five Years will have two performances on June 30, a catered matinee at The Chateau in Valrico and an evening show at Stageworks in Channelside.

The Last Five Years draws on a number of musical genres from slow ballads and upbeat rock and roll to Yiddish. Devan and Rachel's beautiful voices will be complimented by live musicians playing violins, cellos, piano, guitar and bass guitar, musically directed by Joe Scarbrough.

"Devan and Rachel are phenomenal singers. I want the audience to know they watched a really good show. It's a cautionary tale about a failed marriage. Maybe they will see parts of themselves and make adjustments," he said. "The theme is miscommunication. Cathy and Jamie said everything they wanted to say, but they just didn't say it to one another."

The Last Five Years is Saturday at 2pm at The Chateau, 1903 E. State Road 60, Suite F. Tickets are $20 for show or $25 for show and lunch. The evening show is 8pm at Stageworks Theatre, 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd. in Channelside. Tickets are $20. For show information, visit www.nyneshows.com or www.facebook.com/NYNEShows.

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