The Last Five Years

 The Last Five Years
Hudson Theatre
May 17, 2025

Photo courtesy of The Last Five Years

The Last Five Years is a uniquely structured one-act musical.  It has a non-sequential storyline, which causes you to lean in and listen carefully.  It is all song, with very little dialogue.  The music and lyrics, by Jason Robert Brown, draw the audience in, immersing them in the emotional journey of the two main characters.  Director Whitney White allows the actors to delve deeply into the needs of their characters, giving them complete ownership of the trajectory and texture of the piece. 

Jamie (played by Nick Jonas), a young Jewish novelist, meets and falls in love with Cathy (played by Adrienne Warren), an aspiring actor/singer/dancer.  When we first meet them, Jamie is singing about the beginning of their relationship, while Cathy is lamenting about the end, five years later.  As the story progresses, we find out about the challenges in their relationship.  Jamie’s success quickly rises, while Cathy struggles to get noticed.  Their needs are different, yet their love is genuine. 

Adrienne Warren & Nick Jonas
Photo courtesy of The Last Five Years

The action goes back and forth between the two characters as they deliver solos that reveal their
emotional perspectives.  Nick Jonas is charismatic and debonair as Jamie.  His songs are delivered as monologues, layered with rich subtext.  Adrienne Warren is grounded and bold as Cathy.  Her voice is powerful, while her character grapples with insecurities.  This dichotomy gives her character a truthful, empathetic dimension.  The audience feels for her and identifies with her emotional journey. 

The chemistry between Mr. Jonas and Ms. Warren is vibrant.  Their relationship sizzles and solidifies when they sing together.  Their connection is honest, and their voices blend amazingly well. 

The Last Five Year is playing at the Hudson Theatre through June 22.  It is a ninety-minute emotional and personal journey with an absolutely beautiful score.  

Domenick Danza

Parade

 Parade
New York City Center
Annual Gala Presentation
November 3, 2022 

Photos courtesy of New York City Center

The New York City Center Annual Gala Presentation of Parade is flawless.  Jason Robert Brown magnificently conducts his lavish score, passionately depicting a distinctive setting and bringing to life vibrant characters.  Alfred Uhry’s 1998 book shines bright in the light of our present day sensitivities.  Director Michael Arden stages the production on a simple unit set.  The action continually move, building dramatically to reveal the truth, not only for the main characters, but for the beliefs of the people of Georgia.

Leo Frank (played by Ben Platt) is transplanted to Marietta, Georgia when his wife’s uncle offers him a job.  Leo is a Jew from Brooklyn.  His wife, Lucille (played by Micaela Diamond) is a Jew from Georgia.  They were raised in the same faith, but it’s as if they are from different lands.  Leo feels out of place in Marietta, and Lucille wants him to slow down and enjoy the southern way of life, including the Memorial Day Parade, which celebrates the efforts of the Confederate Soldiers during the Civil War.  When the body of Mary Phagan, a 14 year old girl (played by Erin Rose Doyle) is found dead in the basement of Leo’s factory, his is arrested and found guilty of murder.  He is sentenced to death, yet continually maintains his innocence.  Lucille makes a strong appeal to Governor Slaton (played by Sean Allan Krill).  He investigates the testimony of the witnesses in Leo’s trial, and uncovers inconsistencies and lies.  He repeals Leo’s sentence to life in prison, but the good citizens of Marietta have another plan in mind.

Micaela Diamond & Ben Platt
Photo courtesy of New York City Center

Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond are brilliant as Leo and Lucille Frank.  Leo holds a conservative point of view of their roles in the marriage, therefore does not have much faith in his wife.  Lucille steps up to help Leo when all hope seems lost.  Ms. Diamond rises in that moment.  Her character defies her husband’s expectations.  Mr. Platt and Ms. Diamond become united in these moments.  They achieve a genuine bond, which propels the story through to the end.  Jason Robert Brown’s songs in the second act for these two characters are passionate and visceral, reflecting the deepening of their relationship.  These songs soar with emotion, as Mr. Platt and Ms. Diamond voices blend and fill the expansive City Center auditorium with joy and abandon.

Photo courtesy of New York City Center

The intimate story of Leo and Lucille Frank takes place within the value system of the old south, which includes the need to defend that way of life at all cost.  This production will make you stop and realize how little we have progressed in the past decades, and how vital it is to continue to push forward.  

Jason Robert Brown’s score requires a large cast of superb voices in order to be performed successfully.  This cast exceeds all expectation, delivering brilliance throughout the show.   

Parade is playing at City Center through November 6.  Don’t miss it! 

Domenick Danza

Mr. Saturday Night

 Mr. Saturday Night
Nederlander Theatre
April 23, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Mr. Saturday Night

Billy Crystal lights up Broadway in Mr. Saturday Night.  The show is full of one liners, double takes, and heartfelt moments.  The book is written by the same three who wrote to original move (Billy Crystal, Lowell Ganz, & Babaloo Mandel).  Jason Robert Brown’s score is lively and memorable.  Amanda Green’s lyrics are witty and character driven.  Director John Rando brings all the elements together and shines them up to create a fun new musical.  

The year is 1994.  Buddy Young Jr. (played by Billy Crystal), who was a famous TV comic in the 1950s, is now performing in Senior Homes and feels he has hit bottom.  When he is mistakenly listed as “recently deceased” on the Emmy Awards presentation, his brother Stan (played by David Paymer) flies in from Florida.  Stan was Buddy’s manager in the early days, until they had a falling out.  The Today Show calls Buddy for an interview to correct the error from the Emmy Awards.  Buddy feels this is his chance to make a comeback, so Stan calls in a favor with a big agency, who sends Annie Wells (played by Chasten Harmon) to discuss the possibilities.  In his usual style, Buddy manages to insult Ms. Wells, but she still wants to represent him.  Buddy has a rough road ahead, not just with his career, but in building back the relationship with his brother and healing the relationship with his daughter, Susan (played by Shoshana Bean).  

David Paymer & Billy Chrystal in the 1992 film
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Billy Crystal’s timing during his stand-up routines and old comedy sketches is impeccable.  He and David Payne have a strong connection as brothers, both having played these roles in the original 1992 film.  Their relationship plays out through rhythm and comic timing.  They create a few very serious moments that are genuine and touching.

Randy Graff plays Buddy’s wife, Elaine.  Her character is a grounding force for Buddy.  She is solid and charming in this role, keeping the characters around her connected and the action moving.  Shoshana Bean is engaging and charismatic as Susan.  Her energy pushes each scene forward.  Her solos are strong and emotionally engaging.  Chasten Harmon brings heart and determination to the character of Annie Wells.  She raises the stakes and builds the momentum of the story. 

David Paymer, Billy Crystal, Shoshana Bean, & Chasten Harmon
Photo courtesy of Mr. Saturday Night

The ensemble is made up of three amazing performers: Jordan Gelber, Brian Gonzales, and Mylinda Hull.  Each play numerous roles that resurface throughout the story.  They are full of surprises, while skillfully keeping the action connected and delivering the laughs.  

Mr. Saturday Night has all the humor and heart you expect from a Billy Crystal project.  The story is touching.  The performances are bold and honest.  The set design, by Scott Pask brilliantly incorporates the video and projection designs of Jeff Sugg.  Get a ticket today.  You will definitely enjoy this show.     

Domenick Danza