Cast, Musicians Lift Grown-up Musical

The Women’s Theatre Co. promises—right on the home page of its website—“a little off-Broadway right here in Morris County.”

There is a slightly different mindset off-Broadway than there is in its big-brother theaters. Musicals, in particular, are written for smaller stages and smaller audiences, sometimes as minute as the 99-seat Parsippany Playhouse, where Parsippany’s professional resident company premiered its revival of “” Friday night at the .

Jason Robert Brown’s two-character, one-act musical, won a Drama Desk award in 2002, is a good example of the small-room musical. With audience and actors sharing a tight space, the music and songs play a more dramatic purpose than on the big stages, where they often are exploited as launching pads for dazzling production numbers that play to the back seats.

Here, they become the vehicle through which we get to know the characters almost as well as we might a childhood sleepover friend. In this most intimate setting, Cathy (Lea Antolini) and Jamie (James Sasser) sing directly to us about having met the loves of their lives, and the promise of a future life filled with joy. Who can resist getting caught up in that?

They also sing of a love gone wrong and the regrets of having let it slip through their hands. There are times when they are so sad — and so close — that you might feel obligated to reach out and give them a comforting hug. Just remember that’s probably a bad idea.

But Artistic Director Barbara Krajkowski had the right idea bringing this little gem, which balances an occasional overuse of drama with some wonderfully real and silly humor, to her room. It would be hard to connect with Brown’s characters if there were any more distance between the actors and their audience. Seeing their love flower and fade from such a close distance, however, makes it that much easier to share their feelings.

Granted, we could do without some of the depression they endure. Jamie, a rising novelist, wants to share the excitement of his budding stardom, but Cathy can’t see through the frustration of her going-nowhere acting career. Eventually, he doesn’t even have the time to share her small victories, including an out-of-town musical tour, and she won’t leave their home to help him celebrate a good review.

Brown adds a novel twist by separating their perspectives on “The Last Five Years” by having her start at the end, his good-bye note in her hand, while he starts at the beginning, feeling flush from their first meeting. This approach, while interesting, does carry some inherent problems. For starters, you know from the beginning that this romance won’t last, so rooting for them is a losing proposition. The only surprise you can look forward to is finding out who gets the last word.

But the flow of the story has a unique charm, as Cathy works her way back to the sunny promise of a new relationship, while Jamie trudges forward to the inevitable parting. They actually meet only once, for a wedding duet, in the middle of this nicely-paced, one-act affair.

Otherwise, they mostly work on opposite ends of the stage, symbolically switching sides after the wedding. This format presents a heavy-lifting opportunity for the two stars, both of whom are newcomers to the WTC stage and turn in some dazzling work.

Antolini, a full-time instructor at Centenary College who has been stealing scenes for years in musical comedies at Centenary and the Growing Stage in Netcong, makes the most of a rare chance to play a romantic lead. She dials her booming voice back just a bit to fit it into the space, but the adjustment sacrifices none of its charm and purity of tone.

She also leaves her gifts for broad physical comedy backstage and gives a subtle and frequently touching performance, full of tiny gestures and nods that reveal her feelings without hitting you over the head with them. The best evidence of this is her song, “I’m a Part of That,” describing the small measure of fame-by-association she experiences through her relationship with Jamie. Some actresses might have gone straight for the irony and sung the entire tune visibly unconvinced with her status. Antolini never stops trying to convince the audience of her privileged status until the very end, as if she just can’t keep the illusion alive for another second.

Sasser is, perhaps appropriately, more broad in his mannerisms as a cocky kid writer who gets his big break at age 23. He also shows some smooth comedy skills, especially in the amusing “Schmuel Song.”

The show also is full of tricky, complex melodies, the kind that singers of lesser experience could easily butcher. But both Antolini and Sasser stay on top of their jobs, nailing the notes and changes flawlessly while staying in character and letting the meaning of the songs work through. Sasser even manages to sing the word “exacerbate” with a straight face during one of the allegedly lighter numbers.

It helps when you have a veteran “orchestra,” keyboardist Warren Helms and bassist Tim Metz, who have proven here time and again they can play almost anything, from the lush, dense arrangements of “Side by Side by Sondheim” to the more contemporary, but equally demanding score for “the Last Five years,” which was “only” written for 14 pieces.

Director Lauren Mills completes Krajkoswki’s little dream team of musical-theater masters and adds the attraction of bringing two bright new talents to Parsippany.

Certainly, this is neither a family musical, nor the kind of warm and fuzzy entertainment that some may seek from musical theater. But it is a meaty, memorable and, yes, entertaining evening, and a show that has not been given a professional revival in Morris County in recent memory.The $20 top ticket price also offers a relatively cheap night out. There romantic themes here are timeless, but for young couples who have not experienced what the Women’s Theater Company has to offer, this modern tale might be the perfect place to start.

The Women’s Theater Company production of “The Last Five Years” runs March 2 to 18 at the Parsippany Community Center’s Parsippany Playhouse, 1130 Knoll Road, Parsippany. Tickets $20, $18 seniors. For online ticket purchase or information, visit www.womenstheater.org or call 973-316-3033.