THE LAST FIVE YEARS Begins Tonight at Town Hall Theater

She's at the end of the relationship, devastated by the break-up of her marriage. He's discovered five years earlier at the start of the relationship, certain that he's finally found the woman of his dreams. In the hit musical, The Last Five Years, her songs travel back through time to that first meeting, while he travels forward in time to the bitter break-up -- a brilliant structure that lays bare the joys and frustrations and of a modern relationship.

THT executive director Douglas Anderson directs the two-person tour de force, which will be at Middlebury's Town Hall Theater tonight, April 9th, 11th and 12th at 8pm and 2pm Sunday April 12. "It's been hailed as one of the finest musicals of the last 20 years. I sometimes think it's the best musical that many people have never seen," he says.

Starring in the show is Middlebury College senior Mike McCann, who is no stranger to Town Hall Theater. During his four years at the college he spent every January at Town Hall Theater, performing in the Winter Term musical productions. Audiences will remember him as a very funny Prince in Into the Woods, the malicious Javert in Le Misérables, and most recently the Father in Ragtime.

"Mike is one of those rare talents that comes along only so often," says Anderson. "His range is astonishing, floating seamlessly from baritone to high tenor, and he commands the stage." He's also performed on the THT stage many times as lead singer for The Dough Boys. "Mike cut short his Christmas vacation so he could sing at the THT New Year's bash this year."

Opposite McCann is another THT star, Kim Anderson, who starred in Funny Girl several years ago. (No relation to Doug.) "When Mike came to me with the idea to do this show, I said I'd only direct it if the person playing opposite him is as extravagantly talented as he is," says Anderson. "These are very demanding roles, requiring great pipes, great musicality, and the ability to be on-stage the entire performance and make everything fresh and funny. That's a perfect description of Kim Anderson." Kim Anderson has starred in productions at Burlington's Lyric Theatre and the Stowe Theatre Guild.

The score, by Jason Robert Brown, is composed of fourteen songs that tell the entire story. Known for his brilliant lyrics and stunning musical voice , Brown's recent work on Broadway includes The Bridges of Madison County and the current hit, Honeymoon in Vegas.

The Last Five Years runs Thursday, April 9th and Saturday April 10th at 8pm and Sunday April 11th at 2pm. There is no show on Friday, April 10th.

Tickets for The Last Five Years are $17, $6 for students, and may be purchased at www.townhalltheater.org, 802 382-9222, at the THT Box Office (Mon-Sun, noon-5 pm) and at the door.

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