JRB & Julia Murney @ UCLA sold out - Want Another show to be added?

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 1/19/06 at 3:20pm

Just got this from JRB's mailing list:

1. You probably already know that on January 30, the exquisite Julia Murney will be playing the role of Cathy while I bravely assay the role of Jamie in a concert production of "The Last Five Years" to be performed at UCLA's Freud Playhouse as part of Reprise's "Marvelous Musical Mondays" series. What you may not know is that the show is already sold out. There couldn't possibly be enough of you to make it worthwhile to add another performance, could there? Call the folks at Reprise, talk to them about it. (Meanwhile, the Pasadena Playhouse will be presenting the show this summer, so Southern California will have plenty of opportunities to watch the most depressing musical ever made.)

Updated On: 1/19/06 at 03:20 PM

[loseyourheart]

Posted: 1/19/06 at 3:27pm

I wanted to go to that in the worst way. They SHOULD add another performance. Julia playing Cathy is pretty awesome. I'm glad it's gonna be at the Pasadena Playhouse later though - that's like 15 minutes away from me.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 1/19/06 at 4:33pm

Maybe if people tried calling, like he said, they'd add another performance? I don't know. I wish I lived in California for the day.

[eslgr8]

Posted: 1/19/06 at 5:00pm

You beat me to it, Dancing. I was just going to post the same thing after reading Jason's email. It would be GREAT if more people could see this show. As it is, I'm hanging on to my third row seat for dear life!

By the way, Jason didn't mention that the superb Chance Theater in Anaheim is opening the same show Jan. 26 - Mar. 12, 2006
Thu./Fri./Sat. 8pm; Sun. 2pm.

http://www.chancetheater.com/

I hope to catch that one in February as well as the Pasadena Playhouse version this summer.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 1/19/06 at 5:15pm

I want to see this so badly.

[emo_geek]

Posted: 1/19/06 at 6:23pm

I have tickets to it, I am uber excited.

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 1/19/06 at 6:26pm

In regards to the L5Y at the Chance--my friend was going to actually play Jamie (no joke), but he had a conflict.

I do plan on seeing it though. It's kind of like an alternative to the one in L.A.

[defygravity2]

Posted: 1/19/06 at 6:40pm

Exactly what is meant by 'concert version'? I was hoping for some kind of scaled down blocking, props, etc? I am still excited to be going, but I am hoping it's not just a voice concert.

[emo_geek]

Posted: 1/19/06 at 6:52pm

Hmmmm just noticed concert version. I started watching a dvd of a concert version of sweeney todd with patti and I didn't like it as I yearned for sets and all. Maybe because I hadn't seen sweeney (angela dvd) so I couldn't imagine.....well if thats it then grrrr because I havn't seen last five years haha.

[Patronus]

Posted: 1/19/06 at 6:59pm

Reprise does a lot of concert versions that ranges anywhere from standing at a mic holding sheet music to elaborate staging. There likely isn't anyway to know until the 30th.

I'll be there!

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 1/22/06 at 2:40am

I just got my ticket today in the mail.

Yeah!

8 days and counting.

[andyf]

Posted: 1/22/06 at 2:48am

"...so Southern California will have plenty of opportunities to watch the most depressing musical ever made."

SHUT UP!

I didn't know they finally turned 'night, Mother into a musical!!!

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 1/22/06 at 2:55am

Huh? I think you are responding to the other thread on the same basic topic.

[iwearshoes]

Posted: 1/22/06 at 2:55am

So when do we find out if there will be another show? I desperatly want to go but did not find out in time to buy tickets.

[Sheri]

Posted: 1/22/06 at 3:34am

Usually Reprise's one night only shows are concert readings with scripts in hand, with the actors standing at microphones - at least this is how it was the last few that I went to... It doesn't take away from the show at all, though - when I saw the concert reading of "Assassins" there in 2003, it was one of my most memorable theatre experiences.

[eslgr8]

Posted: 1/22/06 at 3:43am

I Do! I Do! (starring Harry Groener and Diana Canova) was fully staged (though with minimum costumes and sets) and both were completely off book (though both had done the musical before). I sincerely doubt that Brown and Murney will have scripts; the show is 95% songs, which I'm certain they will have learned by heart. I don't see them just standing in front of mikes, at least I hope they won't just do that.

[andyf]

Posted: 1/22/06 at 3:58am

The Last 5 Years isn't really a show that would require a fabulous set or mind-blowing costumes.

I saw JRB and Lauren Kennedy do the show in concert at Cooper Union a few years ago and all they did was "just stand in front of mikes" and sing; I don't think anyone who was there had a single complaint.

[defygravity2]

Posted: 1/22/06 at 11:49am

I saw the Broadway version with Norbert and Sherie, and remenber the set to be very simple (although the stage turned-I think), and I believe there was only one costume change-which struck me as odd. I do remember a pier for Cathy's second song, the boat, and a bed (for that 'wonderful' song that makes me cringe!)

I'm hoping for some small blocking and set, but, regardless, I am so excited to be seeing it in one week and a day! I'm sure 'it will be fine, it's fine, it's fine...you know we love it..'

[eslgr8]

Posted: 1/22/06 at 12:56pm

I agree that even in JRB and JM "just sing the songs," it'll be worth it because the show IS the songs, and staging (though expected in a full production) is not the thing that makes TL5Y work. It's the performances. One week from tomorrow!!!