What first drew you to the music of The Last Five Years?
My introduction to The Last Five Years was playing "Still Hurting" for a voice lesson. I was blown away by how dense and evocative the writing was, yet it still maintained streamlined storytelling. So much is introduced in that song, but we never feel overwhelmed by the complexity.
Do you have a favorite moment or song in the score, and why?
I love playing "Summer In Ohio" with its cocktail piano licks, and Laila gives such a powerhouse performance on top of Ashley's charming direction. I also love Jens' performance in "Nobody Needs To Know". It's raw, guilt-ridden, heartbreaking; you can feel his frustration and disappointment with himself. This might be my favorite song in the show. The weighty repetition and ever-expanding musical textures evoke the stagnation and fog of Jamie’s guilt, which starkly contrast his cocky, groove-driven "Shiksa Goddess" and "Moving Too Fast." Not to mention it’s one of the few times Jason Robert Brown puts Jamie in a triple time signature, which usually belongs to Cathy’s motivic realm. Brilliant.
What has been the most meaningful or challenging aspect of working with the band on this show?
Bethany, Molly, and Andrew (and subs Nick and Sal) have been a joy to collaborate with. This show is so challenging not just for its virtuosity but also for how exposed each player is. It takes highly skilled musicians to pull this off, and they’ve done so with confidence, emotion, and laughter. I’ve also loved discovering how masterful Jason Robert Brown is at using orchestration and polyrhythms to not only convey emotion and story but also to cleverly pass around motives like a jazz combo.”
What should audiences listen for in the music that might suprise them?
A few things! A couple of easy ones. Pay attention to the opening piano solo: that theme returns at key moments. Second, the opening four chords in the ICONIC "Still Hurting" also recur throughout the show. For a bigger challenge, listen for when each song is in triple or duple time signature. Hint: Cathy’s are usually in triple (3/4, 9/8, 6/4), Jamie’s in duple (2/2, 4/4, 12/8). When they try to combine these time signatures is when things get really interesting.
What makes live music such an important part of the theatre experience?
Live musicians, unlike tracks, have the capacity for human emotional nuance. The cellist weeps a phrase, the violin harmonics haunt the ear, the actors and players breathe together. You don't get that with tracks or in a large venue. This intimate show in this intimate space allows the audience to experience these very human aspects of theatre up close and personal. It's immersive.
