‘The Last Five Years’: Cult fave now on Broadway

‘THE LAST FIVE YEARS’: Adrienne Warren & Nick Joans. Photo: Matthew Murphy.

THE LAST FIVE YEARS
Book, music & lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
Directed by Whitney White
Through June 22, 2025
Hudson Theatre
141 W 44th St
https://thelastfiveyearsbroadway.com/

By Scott Harrah

Jason Robert Brown’s musical The Last Five Years originated in Chicago in 2001 and was first produced Off Broadway in New York in 2002, starring Norbert Leo Butz and Sherie Renee Scott. It was adapted into a 2014 film starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan. Now, the one act has arrived on Broadway with Tony Award winner Adrienne Warren and former teen pop star and Broadway veteran Nick Jonas. Some may not know it, but Nick Jonas has been appearing in Broadway shows since he was a child, long before he hit it big with his sibling pop group The Jonas Brothers. He even did a fine job replacing Daniel Radcliffe in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying in 2012.

Unorthodox narrative

This musical has gained a devoted cult following for its unorthodox narrative. The Last Five Years chronicles the five-year marriage of aspiring actress Cathy (Ms. Warren) and up-and-coming novelist Jamie (Mr. Jonas).  Cathy’s story is told backwards, from the end of her relationship with Jamie to the beginning. Jamie’s story is told the conventional way, from beginning to end.

The two characters’ tales finally merge but just once, at their wedding, and this happens halfway through the show. The musical is almost like an operetta since there’s little spoken dialogue. However, the overall tone is serious and ultimately gloomy. The show isn’t exactly an operetta nor is it a traditional musical. Nothing about the production fits any conventional category, so perhaps that is why The Last Five Years has an ardent fanbase.

‘Nice Jewish boy’ novelist Jamie

Mr. Jonas’s Jamie is a stereotypical “nice Jewish boy” from New York. He’s ambitious and tired of the women he meets in his social circle. When he meets Cathy, she’s unlike anyone he has ever met. With effervescent songs such as “Shiksa Goddess,” “Moving Too Fast” and “A Miracle Would Happen,” Mr. Jonas is in fine voice. As he finds success as a novelist, Cathy struggles.

Aspiring actress Cathy

Theatergoers already know Adrienne Warren has a powerful, angelic voice. She originated the role of Tina Turner in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical both on London’s West End and on Broadway, earning her an Olivier and Evening Standard Theatre Award nomination and a Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award. From the moment the show opens with Cathy belting out “Still Hurting,” a song about the painful ending of her marriage to Jamie, Ms. Warren starts out on a proverbial high note. Her vocals are consistently lush and melodic from beginning to end.  She is top notch when singing such songs as “I Can Do Better Than That” and “Goodbye Until Tomorrow” with her mellifluous voice.

Show’s edgy appeal

The fact that the narrative follows two opposing timelines (Cathy’s in reverse and Jamie’s chronologically) makes the musical edgy, and one can see why it has developed a dedicated group of enthusiasts the past 24 years

Both Mr. Jonas and Ms. Warren have amazing chemistry and stage presence. Fans of either star won’t be disappointed seeing them both shine in the 90-minute one act. Whitney White directs both actors well and they are both continuously fluid and have great timing.

Despite the two amazing performances and the superb vocals, this chronicle of a love and marriage falling apart is not exactly upbeat material. In addition, the awkward and wonky book is exactly why The Last Five Years may not please mass audiences. This cult favorite will certainly thrill those who are already fans of the show, but the confusing nature of the story could make winning over new aficionados difficult indeed.

Published April 16, 2025
Reviewed at press performance on April 9, 2025

‘THE LAST FIVE YEARS’: Adrienne Warren. Photo: Matthew Murphy.

‘THE LAST FIVE YEARS’: Nick Jonas. Photo: Matthew Murphy.

‘THE LAST FIVE YEARS’: Nick Jonas & Adrienne Warren. Photo: Matthew Murphy.