Prepare your hearts, theater fans, because they’re about to break again. Barefoot Theatre Collaborative will be staging Jason Robert Brown’s hit musical “The Last Five Years” this September and October.
The musical tells the story of Cathy (an aspiring Broadway star) and Jamie (an author), and how their relationship has changed over the course of five years. Jamie’s side of the story is told in chronological order, while Cathy’s side is told in reverse chronological order—meeting only once in the middle.
While not entirely new to local stages, it’s been almost 10 years since the musical was staged in the country. The last production, which was staged in 2014, starred Nikki Gil and Joaquin Valdes as Cathy and Jamie, respectively.
“The Last Five Years” has a cult following in musical fans all over the world, which prompted a movie adaptation in 2014 starring Academy Award nominee Anna Kendrick as Cathy and Tony nominee Jeremy Jordan as Jamie.
For the Philippine run, the roles of Cathy and Jamie will be played by stage veterans (and real life married couple!) Gab Pangilinan and Myke Salomon. Pangilinan is currently playing the role of Young Joy in this season’s “Ang Huling El Bimbo,” while Myke Salomon recently earned more laurels for his portrayal of Cyrano in “Mula sa Buwan.”
Actor, director, and producer Topper Fabregas (who is also in this season’s “Ang Huling El Bimbo” as Young Anthony) is slated to direct the musical, while composer Rony Fortich will be taking the role of musical director.
Barefoot Theatre Collaborative’s “The Last Five Years” will run from Sept. 29 to Oct. 15 at the PMC Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Circuit Makati. Ticket selling for the first five shows will start on June 30.