'The Last Five Years' Extends by Popular Demand

Originally scheduled for one night only, Notes from New York's fifth anniversary production of Jason Robert Brown's The Last 5 Years will now play two additional performances due to phenomenal public demand. With the original performance on Sunday 12 October selling out in less than four weeks of going on sale, West End stars Julie Atherton and Paul Spicer will now share the stage at the prestigious Theatre Royal Haymarket for three nights in total on Sundays 12, 19 and 26 October 2008 in this much anticipated, brand new gala staging.

The Last 5 Years will be directed by Fiona Laird and Amelia Sears. Fiona's extensive theatre credits include the recent revival of They're Playing Our Song at the Menier Chocolate Factory and Amelia is currently Associate Director for Michael Grandage's Donmar production of Twelfth Night at the Wyndham's Theatre. Musical supervision is by David Randall, musical direction by Mark Collins and sound design by Mark Dunne.

Creative tensions combine with complexities of the heart in this emotionally wrought and unequivocally moving song cycle. Newly published novelist Jamie and aspiring actress Cathy tell the tale of their raw and impassioned relationship in opposite directions and from destructively differing standpoints. Unique in structure yet familiar in its universally resounding themes, this celebrated two-hander reminds us it's possible to feel claustrophobically close to and yet worlds apart from the one you hold closest to your heart.

Julie Atherton, an associate artist of the Notes from New York series, originated the roles of Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut in the West End production of Avenue Q. She most recently appeared in Once Upon a Time at the Adelphi at the Liverpool Playhouse and A Spoonful of Stiles & Drewe at Her Majesty?s Theatre in the West End. Her previous theatre credits include the lead roles of Sophie in Mamma Mia and Serena in Fame. Her solo album, A Girl of Few Words, is one of the most popular musical theatre releases of recent years.

Paul Spicer, also an associate artist of the Notes from New York series as well as its co-founder, recently played Tobias in a brand new staging of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd at the Gothenburg Opera in Sweden. His previous West End credits include the roles of Michael in The Witches of Eastwick and Billy in Boy George?s Taboo. His UK tour credits include Fame, Saturday Night Fever and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and he recently returned from completing a year-long contract in the international tour of Mamma Mia.

The Last 5 Years received its world premiere at the Northlight Theatre in Chicago in 2001, starring lauren kennedy and Norbert Leo Butz. It was subsequently produced Off Broadway at the Minetta Lane Theatre in 2002, starring Sherie Rene Scott and Norbert Leo Butz. It received its UK premi?re at the Menier Chocolate Factory in 2006 and returns to London for one night only in this gala staging. Jason Robert Brown?s Parade recently received its UK premi?re in a critically acclaimed production at the Donmar Warehouse. His other work includes Songs for a New World and his latest musical 13, now on Broadway.

Notes from New York started life in 2003. Its purpose is to present the work of contemporary musical theatre composers in the West End. Initially focusing on the work of US composers, it has more recently explored avenues closer to home. Following five presentations of material from the other side of the pond, the company presented Not(es) from New York, featuring the music of British composers Charles Miller and Grant Olding and created a unique seasonal show entitled Christmas in New York, which received its world premiere in December 2006 and was revived in December 2007. Earlier this year it presented Notes in Heels, a show featuring the work of female composers from New York.

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