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Will You Share Your Life with Devanesen for the
Next Ten Minutes?
15th July
2008
By
Renée
Maloney
‘The Last 5
Years’
is another musical from the highly acclaimed and very talented
Jason Robert Brown (Parade, Songs for a new World, 13 and Urban
Cowboy). The show is an emotionally powerful and intimate
musical about two New Yorkers in their twenties who fall in and out
of love over the course of five years. The show's unconventional
structure consists of Cathy, the woman, telling her story backwards
while Jamie, the man, tells his story chronologically; the two
characters only meet once, at their wedding in the middle of the
show. Brown won Drama Desk Awards for the music and the lyrics after
the Off-Broadway premiere in 2002 starring Norbert Leo Butz and
Sherie Rene Scott..
With “The Last
5 Years” opening at the Gasworks this Thursday I had a chat with its
two performers, Emily Doran and
David Bleier about the show, its highlights and their characters.
 TP:
What attracted you to L5Y?
ED: The
Last Five Years has been one of my favorite shows since I first
heard it 5 years ago. Firstly, it is such a wonderful concept with
the cross-over of each character's stories which instantly adds an
intriguing dimension to the show, but mainly it's the characters.
Both Jamie and Cathy take such complex, touching and heartbreaking
journeys. The way each song is written really allows you to become
close to each of the characters, and see the relationship from their
point of view. Oh, and the score is breathtaking!
I am a massive
fan of Jason Robert Brown, which I think is quite apparent in the
fact that I have now done all 3 of his shows that we can perform in.
He writes so well for the female voice and his music is always a
pleasure to sing-as well as listen to, of course.
DB: The real
question is what is not attractive about L5Y?? I love the music, the
story line, the characters and the counterpoint of journeys for each
of them. It is so well written lyrically and musically.
TP: How
similar and different are Cathy Hiat and Emily Doran?
ED: Ooooh!
Good question! Well, to be honest, it has been really hard to find
the balance between Cathy and Emily in developing the role. I could
very easily just play the show as Emily Doran singing Cathy's songs,
but that would be too easy and so in development, there lies the
challenge! We are both struggling actresses, we both have a partner
who have had books published, we are both 'ambitious freaks' and we
are both chatterboxes! Not to mention all of the love stuff, which I
won't discuss….
TP: How
have you approached developing your Cathy?
ED: As I
mentioned above, I have found it quite difficult to separate the
Emily from the Cathy, and with such a short rehearsal period, I am
still in the midst of playing with that separation.
TP: What do
you like most about Jamie?
DB: That he is
Jewish... His passion for life, his undying commitment to success,
his bravado, his awkwardly geeky sense of humour, his dress sense,
the way his hair just waves slightly when caressed by the wind, his
songs... Did I mention that he is Jewish!?
 TP:
How similar and different are Jamie and David?
DB: Well we
are both Jewish, we both love life, I have a geeky sense of humour
too, although my dress sense is slightly better! I think we are
different because I believe there comes a point in your life that
commitments such as love (and marriage) take precedence over career,
no matter what the circumstance... I would never stray!
TP: How
have you approached developing your Jamie?
DB: I think an
empathetic and on occasion sympathetic approach to understanding the
motivations of Jamie has been critical to developing him. At times,
where appropriate, trying to relate his situation to my life and how
I have felt. I have also really enjoyed working with Emily Doran
(Cathy) as we have had many discussions on our characters journeys
together as if our stories were running in parallel time lines
versus opposing time lines. Also, with some really great direction,
musical direction and leadership.
TP: What is
your favourite Cathy song or moment?
ED: I just
adore 'The Next Ten Minutes'. As a song, its music is just sublime,
combined with stunning lyrics, PLUS finally getting to do something
with Dave on stage, it would have to be my favorite moment. I also
love A Summer In Ohio-we have some very fun blocking in this scene!!
DB: Every one
of them but if I was to name one... Climbing Uphill... Emily is
awesome in everything she does with the song (and every other song
just quietly), and I just love the composition and comical content –
wow!
TP: What is
your favourite Jamie song or moment?
ED: In this
production, Dave's Schmuel Song is amazing, but I am moved every
time by his If I Didn't Believe In You, it's beautiful.
DB: If I
Didn't Believe In You.... Let’s just say I can relate... Schmuel is
a very close second.
 TP:
Why do you think Jamie and Cathy's marriage doesn't work out?
ED: I am
saying this purely from Cathy's perspective but I believe that Jamie
is not the sort of 'relationship' kinda guy. He's wonderful, and he
loves Cathy and I'm sure he's grateful for what she gave him, but he
needs to be single for a lot longer and should never have married
Cathy in the first place. I think Cathy may be a bit needy for his
liking and perhaps the married life restricted and stifled him a bit
much which causes him to do what he does in the end.
DB: Apart from
Jamie cheating on his wife. Here are two people with similar goals
in two very different industries. They strive to be their best and
at the same time try to accommodate each other and hold on to
"Honeymoon" love but never put that love first. I feel Cathy seems
to compromise more than Jamie though, but in the end it is not
enough. There is no shortage of love, but as the show portrays it,
there are two people in a life together but never the twain shall
meet – they are in 2 different worlds...
TP: What
can we expect from Devanesen's Production of L5Y?
ED: You can
expect to see excellent quality production of a stunning show.
DB: A Lot...
Emily Doran playing an amazing Cathy, fun, smiles, sorrow and me
wearing clothes! I think it will be an amazing show! It is well
directed and musically directed and I can’t wait for people to see
it!
“The Last 5
Years” is playing at the Gasworks Thursday 17th July to
Sunday 20th July 2008
All
Tickets $33
Bookings on 9699 3253
Or Book Online Now
www.gasworks.org.au
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