PRESS RELEASE:
Aspiring singer Cathy Hyatt (Melanie Portney) and novelist Jarnie Wellerstein (Cody Pettit) fall in love in Wine Country Theatre's production of the musical "The Last Five Years," playing at Villa San-Juliette Vineyard & Winery in Paso Robles.
Michael Sobczak
BY LEE SUTTER
Special to The Tribune
Wine Country Theatre's current production takes audiences on an intimate journey of a love
story told through song.
"The Last Five Years," set in New York City in the present, portrays the relationship of
between aspiring singer Cathy Hyatt (Melanie Portney and novelist Jamie Wellerstein (Cody
Pettit) from the individuals' perspectives.
It's a tale told forward and backward, starting with Cathy's version of the events at the end
of five years, counter balanced with Jamie's take at the start of the romance.
The two characters only appear together in the middle of the story, when they get married.
The stories through song are easy to follow, in spite of the unique order of presentation.
Cathy and Jamie go through their initial, bedazzled impressions of each other -- first
fantasizing, then pinching themselves with excitement when their attraction is reciprocated.
But, as in any relationship, when two people see each other as dreams come true, the actual
human beings seldom fit the mold. They must adjust to unimaginable and often
unacceptable variables or call it quits.
After Jamie's first book is published, Cathy begins to resent the time he spends promoting his
novel and working on the next. Additionally, her jealousy is aroused by the women who fawn
over her husband at book signings and parties.
In spite of her talent, Cathy gets no callbacks after endless humiliating auditions and
consequently begrudges Jamie's success.
These are not spoilers, as the audience knows from the start that the two will end up going
their separate ways, but the ending is nevertheless heartbreaking.
Director Gregg Wolff gets top-notch performances from the two highly talented actors with
their gorgeous voices. The blocking is terrific, with a variety of poses and movements.
Wolff's stage design consists of empty picture frames protruding from colorful square
outlines on each side of the set at Villa San-Juliette Vineyard & Winery in Paso Robles.
Footage of New York City's Times Square, as well as still shots of women awaiting auditions
and other relevant scenes are projected onto a fabric screen in the middle, along with the
ever-changing date of the story's action.
The moving pictures can be distracting, forcing the audience to choose between watching
the screen or the adorable Pettit and darling Portnev.
They sing accompanied by Tony Award-winning playwright/composer Jason Robert Brown's
recorded instrumentals, which initially sound like karaoke until the ears accustom to the
speakers at the stage's far ends.
Brown's music is challenging, but the two cast members seemingly handle his unusual sound
with ease. The musical reflects the pianist/composer's unconventional harmonics mixed with
dynamic rhythms. Brown's unpredictable melodies seldom follow a four-meter line and
contain unexpected notes.
Brown's clever lyrics often incorporate internal rhymes. The songs range from funny and
lovingly romantic to touchingly sad, angry and bitter.
Contact freelance journalist Lee Sutter at sutterlee@hotmail.com.
'THE LAST FIVE YEARS'
7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Sunday; through April 24
Villa San-Juliette Vineyard & Winery, 6385 Cross Canyons Road, San Miguel
$25, $15 students
1-800-838-3006 or www.winecountrytheatre.com