LIVESTREAM April 14th through 17th, 7:30 PM

*For Mature Audiences*

The George P. Maffei II Theatre at King’s College Presents Jason Robert Brown’s The Last 5 Years George P. Maffei II Theatre located at 133 North River St. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 (570) 208-5825 MESSAGE FROM THE DEPARTMENT The past year has been a difficult one for everyone. The live arts and theatre industry has been hit especially hard by the pandemic. Bringing audiences together to share in the magic of theatre, music, and other performance has been placed on hold. We all feel very confident that we will return even stronger than before, but we creative types aren't satisfied to wait around. Theatre artists across the globe have been creating works in new and innovative ways over the past year. We, at King's Theatre, are very proud to continue telling stories. Throughout this academic year we have created a completely original piece detailing our experiences throughout the pandemic entitled, The Year That Wasn't. We have continued our rich tradition of bringing Shakespeare to the Wyoming Valley with our staged for film version ofAs You Like It. Both of these pieces will be released On-Demand by the end of the year. Now we bring you this live stream of The Last Five Years, and finally we will round out our calendar with a revue called Songs in the Key of Truth on April 29-May 1.

Producing theatre at this time is challenging. The department would like to specifically acknowledge our Stage Management teams this year, who have served as COVID Safety Managers at every rehearsal, making sure that our Action Plan has been carried out...masking, temperature checks, distancing, etc. Stage management is one of the most difficult jobs in the theatre and this added responsibility only makes that all the more true. I would like to extend the department's sincere thanks for a job well done.

In the production you are about to see tonight, all of these protocols have been put in place. You will notice that actors are appearing without masks in the performance; it should be noted that both of them have been fully vaccinated and tested negative at the beginning of the week. Both Actors have also fully consented to performing without masks. Additionally, all crew and technicians present are fully masked. This production is for mature audiences. We hope that this small return to normal is a signal to a return to theatre that can be shared with a live audience in the near future. The Last 5 Years

DIRECTOR Dave Reynolds, ‘00

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Casey Cryan

MUSICAL DIRECTOR Alexander “Lee” Michaels

STAGE MANAGER Alyssa Simmers

SCENIC DESIGN Giuseppina Dematteo

COSTUME DESIGN Autumn J. Galka

LIGHTING DESIGN Jonathan Votjko, ‘15

SOUND DESIGN Eden Stella

TECHNICAL DIRECTION Alexander “Lee” Michaels MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT 1 "Still Hurting"...... Cathy "Shiksa Goddess"...... Jamie "See I'm Smiling"...... Cathy "Moving Too Fast"...... Jamie "I'm A Part of That"...... Cathy "The Schmuel Song"...... Jamie "Summer in Ohio"...... Cathy "The Next Ten Minutes"...... Cathy & Jamie ACT 2 "A Miracle Would Happen"...... Jamie "Climbing Uphill"...... Cathy "If I Didn't Believe in You"...... Jamie "I Can Do Better Than That"...... Cathy "Goodbye Until Tomorrow/ I Could Never Rescue You"...... Cathy & Jamie

See I’m Smiling Goodbye UntilI TomorrowCan Do Better anClimbing at Uphill e Next Ten MinutesSummer in OhioI’m a Part of at Still Hurting

Cathy Jamie

Shiksa Goddess Moving Too Fast e Schmuel Song e Next Ten Minutes A Miracle Would HappenIf I Didn’t Believe in You I Could Never Rescue You Nobody Needs to Know THE CAST Jamie Wellerstein...... Michael Ecker Catherine “Cathy Hiatt...... Abigail Barhight The Deck Crew...... Leah Peters, Ellie Freeman, Brandon Littzi, Benton Smith

Time & Place: 5 Years of a Modern Relationship Jamie's experience is from the beginning of their relationship, forward & Cathy's from the end, backwards. New York City & Ohio

Run Time: 90 Minutes with a 10 Minute Intermission

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS KISS Theatre Co. Ovation Playhouse Christina Reynolds Dr. Mike Little King’s College Facilities King’s College Security King’s College Print Shop Mary Therese Biebel PRODUCTION STAFF

STAGE MANAGER...... Alyssa Simmers PRODUCTION MANAGER...... Dave Reynolds, ‘00

DRAMATURGY...... Benton Smith

SCENIC CHARGE...... Alexander “Lee” Michaels SCENIC PAINTERS...... Mikayla Acree, Ellie Freeman, Leah Peters, Alyssa Simmers, Benton Smith

CONSTRUCTION CREW...... Mikayla Acree, Russel Dyson, Ellie Freeman, Seth Higgins, Andrew “Chip” Lemheney, Brandon Littzi, Leah Peters, Eden Stella, Alyssa Simmers, Benton Smith, Crystal Yuventi

LIGHTING DESIGNER...... Jonathan Vojtko MASTER ELECTRITION...... Lance Jenson Crew ...... Seth Higgins, Andrew “Chip” Lemheney, Benton Smith

COSTUMER SHOP MANAGER...... Autumn J. Galka STITCHERS...... Mikayla Acree, Ellie Freeman, Leah Peters DRESSERS...... Britney Cheskiewicz, Dr. Mike Little

SOUND ENGINEER ...... Eden Stella STUDENT SOUND APPRENTICE...... John Barrera SOUND CONSULTANT...... Dr. Mike Little SOUND BOARD OP...... Eden Stella, John Barrera

PROPERTIES MASTER...... Ellie Freeman CREW...... Seth Higgins, Leah Peters, Alyssa Simmers

THEATRE MARKETING DIRECTOR...... Autumn J. Galka

FONT LICENSING...... America by Alex Joganic Michael Ecker Abigail Barhight

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Contact us for a FREE consultation Today! [email protected] Check out our Website Here! (570) 362-6649 WHO’S WHO?

Abigail Barhight (Catherine Hiatt) is a first year student in the physician assistant program. She is super excited about the show because this is her first role here at King’s College! Previously, she performed in multiple productions where she was the Secretary at the Wyoming Area Drama Club. She would like to thank everyone involved in the production for making her first performance here very memorable! She hopes everybody watching loves the show, has a great time, and recognizes all the hard work put into it.

Michael Ecker (Jamie) is a dean’s list-achieving third year student here at King’s College where he majors in English: professional writing with minors in political science and history hoping to attend law school. At school, Michael is a part of the Honors College, participates in the Cantores Christi Regis, and serves on the Student Government Association class of 2022 board. He was most recently seen on the King’s stage as Robert Martin in The Drowsy Chaperone. No stranger to the local community theatre scene, Michael won a Northeastern Pennsylvania Theatrical Alliance Award for his performance as Ralphie in A Christmas Story and nabbed two nominations for this year’s ceremony in the best lead actor and costuming categories. Some notable credits of Michael’s include: Younger Brother (Ragtime), Mike Costa (A Chorus Line), and Jesus (Godspell). Over these past 12 years, Michael studied various genres of dance and vocal technique, and he continues to pick up lessons and classes when he can. This particularly is a role Michael never expected to get to tackle so soon, but he is nevertheless excited do so. Accordingly, Michael would like to dedicate this performance to the incredible educators he has the privilege to work alongside at King’s, who have both made this performance possible and indelibly shaped him as the person and actor he is today.

Dave Reynolds (Director) is the Chairperson of King’s College Theatre Department. He earned an MFA degree in Design from Temple University in 2009 and has worked extensively as a freelance designer, technician, and director in NEPA and Philadelphia. Dave serves as the Artistic Director of the Gaslight Theatre Company and is also a member of the Board of Directors of KISS Theatre Company. Some recent credits include: Director - King Lear , King’s College. Angels in America: Perestroika , LTWB *Best Director of a Drama 2018 NEPTA Award . Complete Works of Wm Shakespeare , Gaslight. Design - Ragtime (Set/Lights/Sound/Video) King’s College. Chicago (Lights) KISS Theatre. August: Osage County (Set) LTWB *Best Set Design 2019 NEPTA Award. Dave would like to thank his colleagues involved in the production. It is an honor and privilege to work with all of you and I thank my stars every day that we get to make art together here at King’s. And to all of my students...you inspire me to be a better artist, a better educator, and a better person. Seeing all of you bring your creativity, talent, and soul to this production has been exhilarating. As always, for Max, Elliott, Rosie, and my rocking chair companion, Bean. this ad would be better as a video.

video production • motion graphics • content creation www.japhycreative.com WHO’S WHO?

Casey Cryan (Assistant Director) is a senior chemistry major with minors in both mathematics and neuroscience. She is excited to be back in the King’s theatre! Previously, she assistant directed King’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone. In addition to her involvement in the theatre, Casey is also involved in Cantores Christi Regis, the college’s choir. She is very proud of the entire creative team for their hard work on making this show what it is. She also wants to thank Dave, Michael, and Abby for making this experience one to remember, and making my last show for a while special. Thank you for making the theatre a wonderful place, and enjoy this wonderful production.

Benton Smith (Dramaturgy) is a Junior History and Theatre Minor. He is thrilled to contribute to King College’s production of The Last Five Years. Benton resides in Glen Lyon, Pennsylvania, with his parents, twin brother, grandmother, and dog Celt. Benton’s recent productions include King Lear, The Drowsy Chaperone, Much Ado About Nothing, Ragtime, Peter and the Star Catcher, and The Year That Wasn’t. He has also served as a member of various crews for many of the shows. Some of these crews include construction, paint, lighting, and costume. He is also serving as the dramaturgy for The Last Five Years and The Year That Wasn’t. For his contributions to the King’s Theatre, Benton received an MVP Award his freshman year. Outside of being in theatre, Benton enjoys singing in Cantores Chris Regis and is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Benton would like to thank his directors, cast, and crew for all of their hard work. He would also like to thank his family and friends. Benton is also happy to take part in this compelling show and bring entertainment during these uncertain, hard times. He hopes everyone enjoys the show!

Eden Stella (Sound Designer) is a senior Theology major and Theatre minor from West Wyoming, Pennsylvania. Overjoyed to be sound designing at King’s College for The Last Five Years. Some of Eden’s other sound design credits at King’s College include Much Ado about Nothing, King Lear and The Drowsy Chaperone. Eden also worked as a Stage Manger on Eurydice, King Lear, and As You Like It. Outside of theatre, Eden enjoys spending time with her friends &family. She would like to thank Dave Reynolds (director) for this opportunity, Lee Michaels for supporting her & helping her along the way, John Barrera for being a great apprentice & always being ready to learn something new, as well as the rest of the cast & crew for being awesome & making this show come together. Break legs everyone!

John Barrera (Sound Apprentice) is a Junior Theatre major. He is serving as the assistant sound designer....assistant to the sound designer for this production. John is an active member of the stage on and off, serving as stage manager forThe Year That Wasn’t and notable roles including that one screaming guy (Oswald) from King Lear and the “Italian” producer (Feldzeig) in The Drowsy Chaperone. As President Josiah Bartlet once said, “What’s Next?” and John is just happy to keep working on the next thing with these amazing casts and crews. He would like to thank the theatre faculty and his parents and hopes you enjoy the show. WHO’S WHO?

Alexander “Lee” Michaels (Musical/Technical Direction) is the Technical Director of King’s College Theatre Department. He earned a BA degree in Theatre and Music from Muhlenberg College in 2015 and has worked extensively as a technical director, freelance designer, and technician in the Lehigh Valley and PA at large. Michaels is excited for his debut as a musical director here at King’s College. Michaels would like to thank his colleagues involved in the production.

Giuseppina “Peanut” DeMatteo (Scenic Design) is excited about their debut at King’s College Theatre. A graduate of Point Park University- BFA Theatre Production, they are thrilled to be working on such a wonderful show for their first time as scenic designer. Past productions include Assistant Technical Director- Coram Boy, Pittsburgh Playhouse. Assistant Technical Director- Vinegar Tom, Pittsburgh Playhouse. Technical Director- Good Grief, Pittsburgh Playhouse. Technical Director- The Wolves, Pittsburgh Playhouse.

Autumn J. Galka (Costume Design) is the current Resident Costume Designer and Costume Shop Supervisor at King’s College since 2016. Her most recent credits at King’s include, The Year That Wasn’t and King Lear. An adjunct professor at King’s, Autumn teaches Costume Design, Stage Makeup, and Painting and Wet Media. Outside of King’s Theatre, she is a frequent freelance Costumer in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area. Her local credits include, costume design Sweeney Todd (Music Box), costume design August: Osage County (LTWB), & co-scenic design Into the Woods (KISS Theatre Co). In August, Autumn will begin pursuing her MFA in Costume Design at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Jonathan Vojtko (Lighting Design) is a 2015 graduate of King’s College with a major in Marketing and Minor in Theatre. He was very active in the theatre department at King’s, specifically in the field of lighting holding the position of Master Electrician from November 2013 through May 2015. Since then, Jon has made a reputation for himself as an actor, scenic carpenter, and lighting designer in the greater Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton working with such companies as the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, PTPA, Gaslight Theatre Company, New Vintage Ensemble, and the Music Box Dinner Playhouse (Asst. Technical Director August 2016 through July 2017; In-house Lighting Designer February 2017-July 2017). In 2019 Mr. Dave Reynolds invited Jon to guest design King's College's production of The Drowsy Chaperone and again in 2020 with King Lear. He currently serves as Venue Production Coordinator at KISS Theatre Company. Jon would like to thank Dave for this opportunity and mentorship over the course their twelve years working together. He would also like to thank his magnificent- ly talented girlfriend Autumn for all the amazing work we were able to produce together and looks forward to our new adventure in the fall. WHO’S WHO?

Mike Little (Sound Consultant) is Associate Professor of English at King’s College and frequent collaborator with the Theatre Department. Most recently he has worked with John Barrera to design, record, and edit sound for As You Like It, and before that with Jon Vojtko and Eden Stella to design, record, and edit sound for The Year That Wasn’t. On stage he most recently appeared as Corin in As You Like It and Gloucester in King Lear. For this show he’s happy to answer questions and otherwise get of the way as Eden and John pioneer sound in a live-streaming musical at King’s. DIRECTOR'S NOTES This past year has been an unbelievably challenging one for all of us. The theatre community has found new and innovative ways to share stories with audiences. King’s Theatre is very excited to be taking the creative leap into live streamed performance with Jason Robert Brown’s The Last Five Years. I first listened toThe Last Five Years on a long car ride with my wife. At first, I was very confused but, like so many other things in our life, she explained it to me and I eventually figured it out! This is one of her her favorite shows. She’s one of my favorite people. This is the kind of show that musical theatre people love to sing along with in their cars with the windows down! Since that first listen, it has become a staple in our lives (my kids especially love "The Schmuel Song" and would be happy to share their renditions). So, first off, I want to thank her for introducing me to this amazing show and would like to dedicate my small part of it to her. The story that you are about to see is unique in a great many ways. It is a glimpse into five years of a relationship between two people. More importantly, it is a glimpse into the lives of two artists and how they negotiate loving another person while making a career of their passions. It isn’t easy. When does your passion for your art outweigh your passion for your partner? How does an artist grow creatively when their personal relationships seem to be in counter step with the progress? Can you grow together, or do you grow apart?

The Last Five Years is the story of Cathy Hiatt, an aspiring actor and Jamie Wellerstein, a successful writer. Their stories are told in overlapping narratives; Jamie’s from the beginning to the end, and Cathy’s from the end to the beginning. It is in this unconventional narrative form that the real beauty and heartache of their journey unfolds. We open the play with Cathy, alone in her apartment, at the end of their love story and watch as she moves backward in time, reliving the five years of her time with Jamie. The first time we see Jamie, he is in the process of meeting Cathy for the first time, filled with possibilities and new beginnings. We end our play with Cathy watching Jamie walk down the street after they have just shared their first kiss, while Jamie, now in the present day, has just left their apartment for the last time. You will notice that Jamie and Cathy sometimes both appear onstage together. Sometimes they are in the same timeline, sometimes they are not. There is only one brief, beautiful moment right before the act break, where they actually see each other, locking eyes and sharing their lives together, if only for a second. We are left reflecting on the absolute beauty of the small moments in our lives when we are fully present with another person.

This mode of storytelling presents a great many challenges to actors, designers and audience members alike. The shifting times can, at first, be very confusing. Our production team has spent a great deal of time dissecting the piece, looking for clues about Jamie and Cathy’s lives and how their love grows and eventually fades. In the overlapping songs within the story, you will find that Cathy and Jamie are sharing moments of their lives that reflect their own hopes, dreams, fears, and insecurities and even though they may not be onstage together all the time the other is present there in the memory.

It will be tempting to choose a side here; To find fault in one or both of the characters. I think that is the wrong way to look at this compelling love story. Instead, I suggest that you view both of these characters as fully formed people who just don’t quite fit for one another. The universe brings people together for a reason. Sometimes you end up with that perfect love story. Just as often those people grow apart. When that happens, what are we left with?

I would like to take just a second to thank the incredibly talented team that has worked on this show. A musical featuring only two characters demands a great deal from the performers. Michael and Abby have been an absolute joy to work with. They are both incredibly talented singers and actors who have been up for every challenge that this piece has presented. Our design team, stage manager Alyssa, and assistant director Casey, likewise, have tackled this complicated piece with innovative and beautiful ideas that work seamlessly. I would like to say a special word of thanks to our “jack of all trades” Lee Michaels, who not only serves as our Technical Director but also lent his considerable talents to the piece as Music Director. I am eternally grateful for the hard work, talent, vision, and risk that all of these artists have taken to bring you the show you are about to see tonight.

So, now please enjoy meeting Cathy and Jamie as you follow them through The Last Five Years.

Director PRODUCTION HISTORY by Benton Smith, Dramaturgy

The Last Five Years was written in the early 2000s by Jason Robert Brown. He wrote the book, lyrics, and music for the show. The main inspiration for the musical was his marriage to Theresa O’Neill. However, O’Neill sued Brown for violating the non-disparagement and non-disclo- sure agreements within their divorce decree. She argued that the relation- ship between the two main characters, Jaime and Cathy, was similar to hers with Brown. In a crazy turn of events, Photography by Richard Termine Jason Robert Brown sued her back for Sherie René Scott & interfering with his creative process Norbert Leo Butz in the 2002 production and work. Eventually, they reached a settlement where Brown removed all references to Cathy being Irish Catholic. For example, he changed “I Could Be In Love With Someone Like You” to “Shiksa Goddess.” Brown also reduced any similarity between Cathy and O’Neill. The process resulted in a semi-autobiographical musical that is a reflection of what went wrong during their relationship. He used two different perspectives, with inspiring actress Cathy moving backward and novelist Jaime moving forward. The first production of the show took place in Chicago’s Northlight Photography by Joan Marcus Theatre in Skokie, Illinois. The show Betsy Wolfe & ran throughout the summer of 2001. Adam Kantor Norbert Leo Butz and Lauren in the 2013 production Kennedy starred as Jaime and Cathy, respectively. PRODUCTION HISTORY

Later, Sherie Rene Scott replaced Kennedy due to the latter’s commitment to a London production of South Pacific.A year later, the musical unleashed an Off-Broadway version in the Minetta Theatre. Directed by Daisy Prince, the version saw Photography by Jenny Anderson/WIREIMAGE Butz and Scott Joshua Henry, Jason Robert Brown, & reprising their roles. This Cynthia Erivo at the 2016 Benefit Concert production received several awards, including the 2002 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music and Lyrics. In 2013, Jason Robert Brown directed a 2013 Off-Broadway revival, with Adam Kantor as Jaime and Betsy Wolfe as Kathy. In 2015, both Kantor and Wolfe performed at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco for two-night-only concert production. The Last Five Years also had several prominent European versions. One performance occurred in 2013 at the American Musical Theater Live in Paris, France. The show saw Jonathan Wagner and Miranda Crispin as both Jaime and Cathy. In 2015, the Lyric Theatre in Belgium unleashed a limited engagement of the musical with Stephen Whitson directing Fra Fee’s Jaime and Amy Lennox’s Cathy. Jason Robert Brown sponsored a special in-concert performance in New York City’s Town Hall along with Sub- culture. Brown conducted the musical as a one-day-only benefit for the Brady Center to prevent gun violence, starring Joshua Henry as Jaime and Cynthia Ervio as Cathy. London showcased two productions. The most notable production came in 2020 when producer Katy Lipson tasked director Jonathan O’Boyle and George Dyer to launch an actor-musician revival. The show ran for only one month due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In October, performances resumed for another month before another lockdown. The October 3rd performance was recorded and streamed on Broadway on Demand. The production was nominated for eight Off West End Awards, winning two. In 2021, King’s College will create a streaming production directed by Dave Reynolds and starring Abby Barhight and Michael Ecker in the lead roles.

The Last 5 Years

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