Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Adam Kantor and Betsy Wolfe in the Second Stage revival of “The Last Five Years.â€Say “cult musical†and what comes to mind is a notorious Broadway turkey like “Carrieâ€. But a two-character show about the failed relationship between a Jewish guy and a Gentile girl whose stories are told backwards (hers) and forwards (his), with a number called “Shiksa Goddessâ€?
That’s describes Jason Robert Brown’s “Last Five Years,†a modest musical with a big following. The original Off Broadway run in 2002 starred Norbert Leo Butz and Sherie René Scott, who went on to have successful stage careers. Since then the show has had hundreds of productions in the United States and around the world, and fans continue to sing its praises in online chat groups and on Facebook pages.
Mr. Brown is active on Twitter, retweeting love notes from attendees of the new revival at Second Stage Theater, where Adam Kantor and Betsy Wolfe are playing Jamie and Cathy, the doomed couple. The show received mixed reviews when it opened earlier this month, but superfans are helping it stay strong at the box office; the run has been extended through May 18.
For a coming feature The New York Times is asking fans to tell us what it is about “The Last Five Years†that remains so appealing. We’re also looking for memorabilia of past productions â€" playbills, posters, postcards, photographs â€" that have meaning. In the comments section below tell us why you think the show works, what speaks to you emotionally and what mementos you have to share â€" including from your own experiences in the show. We may use your thoughts and photos in print.
