The Last Five Years
The Last Five Years
bway fan2
Swing Joined: 3/23/16
#1The Last Five Years
Posted: 3/23/16 at 11:33am
Isn't it time for a Broadway run of The Last Five Years? This is such a great show and I have always felt like it could work in the right theater on Broadway with the right people involved.
#2The Last Five Years
Posted: 3/23/16 at 11:37am
I think it's too small of a show to work on Broadway. Plus I think the material is really off-Broadway material (and I love the show)
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
#3The Last Five Years
Posted: 3/23/16 at 11:47am
gypsy101 said: "I think it's too small of a show to work on Broadway. Plus I think the material is really off-Broadway material (and I love the show)
"
I agree that it should be off-broadway. If you want to make it happen, I'd love to be involved! There are so many good actors, musicians, and small theaters and performance spaces in Manhattan that can make a small production for a few weeks of this show possible.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#4The Last Five Years
Posted: 3/23/16 at 11:48am
It just had an off b'way run....which didn't seem warrant further exploration onto B'way.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
kade.ivy
Broadway Star Joined: 7/28/13
#5The Last Five Years
Posted: 3/23/16 at 11:49am
This is one of my favorite shows ever, and I'd love to see it on Broadway.
I think it would be a great show for Roundabout to revive on Broadway at some point. But unless it had superstars, I think it would be unlikely that a commercial run would be successful (unless the film develops a cult following somehow).
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#6The Last Five Years
Posted: 3/23/16 at 11:54am
But why BROADWAY? It's had a film (which I liked very much), and two NY professionalproductions. (I think, it's only two.) I'm sure it's been done in regional theater and college campuses as well. BWAY is not the only venue to being successful.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#7The Last Five Years
Posted: 3/23/16 at 11:58am
The most successful Last Five Years as a story will ever be is the film. On stage, it is simply a song cycle, albeit with a wonderful score. The very conceit of how the story is told makes it unsatisfying as a plot-driven musical.
"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir
kade.ivy
Broadway Star Joined: 7/28/13
#8The Last Five Years
Posted: 3/23/16 at 12:00pm
dramamama611 said: "But why BROADWAY? It's had a film (which I liked very much), and two NY professionalproductions. (I think, it's only two.) I'm sure it's been done in regional theater and college campuses as well. BWAY is not the only venue to being successful.
"
Yes, I think it's a fairly popular regional choice.
#9The Last Five Years
Posted: 3/23/16 at 12:41pm
I always thought The Last Five Years would make for an excellent concert style production. Something which Encores! could take on in the future. Not anytime soon, obviously. It's still far too fresh and popular to justify it's presence at Encores which I think should be more about reviving old and forgotten shows.
That being said, if there's a new production - Megan Hilty would be top choice. Just the thought of her singing those songs fill me with sheer joy. And maybe Jonathan Groff as Jamie?
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
#10The Last Five Years
Posted: 3/23/16 at 1:19pm
If there was another commercial production, which there won't and shouldn't be, I'd want to see Laura Osnes as Cathy.
They/them.
"Get up the nerve to be all you deserve to be."
#11The Last Five Years
Posted: 3/23/16 at 1:26pm
Valentina3 said: "Megan Hilty would be top choice. "
About 5 years ago I saw Megan in a cabaret and she sang "See, I'm Smiling" and it was excellent, though I think she may be a bit old for the role
The show is going to be playing at the Geary Theatre in San Francisco, which has the seating capacity of an average Broadway house. It would be interesting to see how the show plays in that large space.
I think they are smart to not have tried to move the show to Broadway thus far. In all likelihood it probably wouldn't have worked out financially. But honestly when I start to think about it, it doesn't seem too far-fetched compared to other things we've seen on recently. Short, intimate, 2-handers are becoming all the more common on Broadway these days. With the right actors, right theatre, and the right director who knows how to use the space, I think this could be a perfectly reasonable thing to have happen.
#12The Last Five Years
Posted: 3/23/16 at 1:50pm
it flopped off-B and on film. Who in their right mind would bring it to Broadway?
On second thought, don't answer that 
#13The Last Five Years
Posted: 3/23/16 at 3:36pm
HogansHero said: "it flopped off-B and on film."
What's your definition of "flop"? Both off-Bway versions got really good reviews. Original production with Sherrie and Norbert really brought both actors great eventual success (Norbert was already super popular in theater, but being in a JRBrown show did not hurt). As for the movie, it wasn't a commercial success - but it was a charming movie and the album was relatively successful. Relative to most movie musicals, that is.
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
BroadwayConcierge
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
#14The Last Five Years
Posted: 3/23/16 at 3:38pm
I'd love it on Broadway, but only in the Helen Hayes or the Booth or another venue of similarly small size. I think it could do potentially do rather well if it were to get some big names on the marquee.
#15The Last Five Years
Posted: 3/23/16 at 3:49pm
Valentina3 said: "HogansHero said: "it flopped off-B and on film."
What's your definition of "flop"? ."
In the context of thinking someone should pony up millions of dollars for a Broadway revival, the only definition that seems especially relevant is financial. I think people have lost more money on Brown's shows than anyone lost on Spider-Man!
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