Last 5 Years Qs (that will probably get me yelled at)

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 11:20am

So, I am a college student and we have a nice little Musical Theatre club here that does a show every semester. Anyway, next semester we are gonna get hit with some road blocks (decreased funding, loss of performance space etc. etc.) This has caused me to have to come up with a different show to propose than I had originally planned and now find one with a smaller cast and that can be easily done (if need be) in glorified class room.

So that brings me to my questions. I have never seen L5Y, I only know the show from the sherrie/norbie recording. I was just wondering what sort of sets and/or major props it has that are completely undroppable or that can be easily fudged or faked with other things.


IF you could be so kind as to answer my question (if you want to just PM me, that's fine) I would adore you for quite some time.

Also, I sort of need to know as soon as possible (we just found out wednesday about the limitations for next semester) because I have to submit my proposal by wednesday at 11am.

Once again, thank you, and try not to hate me too much.

[Phantess]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 12:13pm

The biggest prop my school's production had was a box that Jamie gave to Cathy with a watch in it. A "book" that Jamie wrote, a pad of paper for various reasons. And a stool for various purposes. It was a fantastic production too.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 12:30pm

YELLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

Anyway, the beauty of L5Y is that it only needs two strong leads to tell the story. Props can be kept as miminal as possible, like the above mentioned examples. The Off Broadway production also included:

a nightstand
a slide-on pier
a chair made of Jamie's books
a christmas tree
a bar table
a bed
and a slew of miniature cars

Of course this was all on a turntable but it would have worked fine without it. Someone mentioned on the board once a production where the characters started at opposite ends of the theater and worked their way toward each other, met for The Next 10 Minutes, then worked their way back. That one seemed to be quite ingenious.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 12:45pm

I think it's a show you can probably do with minimal sets and props, no? Try to look for pictures of the original set to get some ideas.

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 1:19pm

WOuld someone maybe be able to point in the dirrection of some original production photos, cause Google isn't being very helpful.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 1:24pm

Sh-k-boom.com has some great Last Five Years pics.

Edit: I love this site as well:

http://members.tripod.com/OldRedHills/lastfiveyears.html Updated On: 4/29/06 at 01:24 PM

[Jon]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 2:15pm

I hated the original set. It was distracting and confusing.

The less scenery, the better.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 2:31pm

I agree with Jon.
The key with the show is not to force the concept. Just let it play.

I saw an excellent production with three staging areas:
a piano, a table, and a chair.

It was marvelous in service of the material.

For the pier Cathy sat on the edge of the stage.
For the car Jamie simply sat in the chair.
The mini car thing is freaky.

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 5:48pm

thanks everyone, that helps a lot.

[Dirty Rotten Scoundrel]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 5:50pm

The great thing about this show is that the powerful music and performances are what lead you through it in understanding... so set and props can be quite minimal and still be great.

[Sporti2005]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 6:54pm

an awesome production i saw had a stool, a chair, a box (with the watch), a book, some flowers, and was set with jamie/kathy on opposite sides of a gate.

the pier was the front of the stage. the stage had a 8-inch step down to a lower level that was probably about 2.5 feet wide.

jamie/kathy started on their respective sides, then during "the next 10 minutes" they danced and switched sides (ending up on opposite sides of the gate). it was really effective.

[respeck]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 7:46pm

In Chicago there are just two chairs, a table, a small platform and that's it. Plus the props that are needed in the script (notepad, book, watch, ect.)

[respeck]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 7:48pm

Also, the stage is the size of a walk in closet so it don't really look bare. I think if the stage was a full proscenium theatre it would look awkward, but also would just be the wrong theatre for that show. Black box is the way to go with that show, or a very small theatre (50 seats? give or take?)

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 8:09pm

Can the show be done without costume changes (from the few pictures i've seen of the obway production costume changes were obviously made).

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 8:13pm

I think the costume changes can be left out. Or, you could start with the basic costume (a dress for Cathy, regular clothes for Jamie) and just add certain things onto them to go with the different scenes.

[jesseeinstein]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 9:14pm

I hope that you are paying for the rights to this show

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 9:41pm

well, if we end up doing we will pay for the rights, but this information is merelyfor my own personal knowledge.

[greeneyed_one]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 11:13pm

What song takes place in a car?

[BWIDB Charlie]

Posted: 4/30/06 at 3:11am

"I Can Do Better Than That"'s scene takes place in a car, Jamie and Cathy are driving to her parents' house.

I think the most important thing to remember about THE LAST FIVE YEARS is that it is a character-driven chamber musical. The way Jason's written it, it has no percussion, is heavily Cello-driven, and needs two amazing performers to make this theatre piece work. If you don't have the performers, DON'T DO IT! Just remember: truth over cleverness. Don't try to "make the material work," the material works already; just trust the material and make sure that you're letting it shine.

Also, I don't think anyone mentioned it, or perhaps these tired eyes missed it, but the Off-Broadway production utilized a simple row boat for "The Next Ten Minutes." The basic way it was used was that it was on the turntable, came from upstage left, with Norbert in the back (towards upstage) facing forward. He did the first bit of the song, Sherie came out in a wedding dress and sat down facing him...the boat moved center and then slightly past, to the swell of the music (that exact moment when the stories meet) and then went back to center. Both actors got out of the boat, went upstage for the wedding, and then Sherie got back in the boat (which had left the stage, was flipped around, and now back) in the same location as Norbert, towards upstage left, facing downstage and the boat continued backwards. It's an effective moment, but not the "only" way to stage it. The show allows for many different interpretations.

As far as costumes, if I remmeber correctly, there really aren't that many. The actors have a basic outfit that they add pieces to throughout. For example, Cathy had a sweater-like thing she put over her top during "See I'm Smiling." Obviously, there was also a wedding dress. I can't remember too many changes in Jamie's clothes.

By now, I've rambled on far too long! So, simple staging, great performers (and piano player) and minimalistic design will work wonderfully for you. If there's anything else I can help with, let me know.

Charlie Piane
[e-mail]

[The W.A.N.D]

Posted: 4/30/06 at 7:52am

I love l5y and the beauty of it is in its simplicity, Nothing flashy, just good, solid storytelling!

[Jon]

Posted: 4/30/06 at 11:37am

The costuming in the original production bothered me too. Jamie had several changes, but Cathy was in the same black dress the entire show. I think she added a veil for the wedding scene.