The ReAct Media Section for THE LAST FIVE YEARS

Press Release

Pull Date: October 8, 2005

ReAct Presents the Jason Robert Brown's captivating musical, THE LAST FIVE YEARS

East Hall Theater, September 8 - October 8, 2005: ReAct Theatre, Seattle's only Multi-ethnic Philanthropic Theatre Company concludes its 2005 season with Tony-Award winning composer Jason Robert Brown's musical love story, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, the bittersweet Off-Broadway hit by the composer and lyricist of such successes as Parade and Songs for a New World.

There are two sides to every love story. When Jamie, a Jewish aspiring-novelist, and Catherine, a Catholic aspiring-actress meet and fall in love it feels like kismet. But in this musical roller-coaster ride, we witness their five-year relationship presented with a timely twist. Funny and uplifting, heartbreaking and poignant, this unique show captures the bliss, pain and ironies of love itself.

THE LAST FIVE YEARS created controversy when it first opened in Illinois in 2001 due to a legal suit threatened by Jason Robert Brown's ex-wife about the material. The show was revised and premiered Off-Broadway in 2002, winning Drama Desk Awards for Best Music and Best Lyrics. "Theatre for Snobs" presented a single-performance student production of THE LAST FIVE YEARS in Seattle in 2003 at the Asian Art Museum, but this is the first major full professional production gracing the Seattle stage.

THE LAST FIVE YEARS runs from September 8 - October 2, 2005, playing Thursday nights at 7:30pm, Friday nights at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sunday afternoons at 2pm. Additionally, due to demand, lateshow performances have been added to all Saturday evenings during the run at 11:00pm. Two additional performances have als been added on Friday, October 7th at 8pm and Saturday October 8th at 8pm. All performances will be held at the East Hall Theater on the 2nd floor of the Oddfellows Building located at 1525 Tenth Avenue, on the corner of 10th and Pine in Seattle on Capitol Hill (Freehold). Free parking is available throughout the neighborhood.

Ticket prices are $18 General Admission; $15 Students/Seniors/Military/Disabled; and $12 for Children. Additionally, ReAct's first Sunday Matinee on September 11th is a "Pay-What-You-Can" performance. For more information and ticket reservations, please call the ReAct box office at (206) 364-3283 or visit online at www.reacttheatre.org. Advanced tickets are also available though Ticket Window: (206) 325-6500, www.ticketwindowonline.org, fax: (425)450-3839. And also through Brown Paper Tickets: (800) 838-3006, www.brownpapertickets.com.

Directed by ReAct's Artistic Director, David Hsieh, and music directed by Mark Rabe, this captivating musical features 3 different casts, performing the show on a rotating schedule. THE LAST 5 YEARS stars Emjoy Gavino with Timothy Glynn, Jessica Skerritt with Jason Kappus and Mariah Anne Taylor with Jadd Davis.

Established in 1993, ReAct strives to provide affordable quality entertainment using primarily non-traditional and multi-ethnic casting. Its purpose is to give artists of all backgrounds the opportunity to work on mainstream projects they might not normally have access to due to ethnicity, gender, or experience. A federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit philanthropic company, ReAct also works to service our community by using its productions to raise money, awareness and supplies for other arts and humanitarian organizations. ReAct is still recuperating from heavy financial setbacks caused by recent thefts of expensive audio-visual equipment during their season opening production of Neil LaBute's THE SHAPE OF THINGS last March.

Performance Fact Sheet:

WHO: The Repertory Actors Theatre (ReAct Theatre)

WHAT: THE LAST FIVE YEARS
Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown

WHERE: The East Hall Theatre
1525 10th Ave, Seattle, 2nd Floor (Freehold in the Oddfellows Building)

WHEN: September 8 - October 2, 2005
Thu at 7:30pm, Fri at 8:00pm, Sat at 8:00pm and 11:00pm (added lateshows), Sun at 2:00pm. Added Extension: Oct 7 & 8 at 8pm.

HOW: Tickets/Reservations: Call (206) 364-3283 or visit http://www.reacttheatre.org
General Admission: $18
Students/Seniors/Military/Disabled: $15
Children (ages 4-11): $12
Save $1 Off admission with a foodbank donation presented at the ReAct Box Office.
One "Pay-What-You-Can" performance at 2:00pm on Saturday, September 11th.
Group Discount Rates are also available for parties of 10 or more.
Half Priced ($9) Day of Show Rush Tickets for Theatre Artists are also available as space allows.

Advanced tickets are also available through Ticket Window (206) 325-6500, http://www.ticketwindowonline.com ; Brown Paper Tickets (800) 838-3006, http://www.brownpapertickets.com ; and other fine outlets, including the Elliott Bay Book Company in Pioneer Square.

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PUBLICITY PHOTOS:

Please Click on thumbnail for Hi-Res image

Jessica Skerritt as Cathy and Jason Kappus as Jamie in ReAct's staging of The Last Five Years, by Jason Robert Brown. Photo: David Hsieh.

 

Emjoy Gavino as Cathy and Timothy Glynn as Jamie in ReAct's production of The Last FIve Years, presented at the East Hall Theatre September 8th through October 2nd. Photo: David Hsieh.

 

Mariah Anne Taylor as Cathy and Jadd Davis as Jamie in ReAct's new production of the musical hit The Last Five Years. Photo: David Hsieh.

 

Timothy Glynn as Jamie and Emjoy Gavino as Catherine in a publicity photo for ReAct's The Last Five Years Photo: David Hsieh.

 

Jadd Davis and Mariah Anne Taylor in ReAct's musical The Last Five Years. September 2005. Photo: David Hsieh.

 

Jessica Skerritt as Catherine and Jason Kappus as Jamie in ReAct's The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown. September 2005. Photo: David Hsieh.

 

Emjoy Gavino as Catherine with Timothy Glynn as Jamie in ReAct's musical love story The Last Five Years. September 2005. Photo: David Hsieh.

 

Jason Kappus and Jessica Skerritt in ReAct's new staging of The Last Five Years. Photo: David Hsieh.

 

Jadd Davis as Jamie and Mariah Anne Taylor as Catherine in ReAct's production of The Last Five Years at the East Hall Theatre. Photo: David Hsieh.

 

Timothy Glynn and Emjoy Gavino star in ReAct's bittersweet musical The Last Five Years. Photo: David Hsieh.

 

Jessica Skerritt and Jason Kappus star together in ReAct's musical The Last Five Years. Photo: David Hsieh.

 

Mariah Anne Taylor and Jadd Davis play Cathy and Jamie in ReAct's The Last Five Years. Photo: David Hsieh.