Musical Explores Relationship in 'Last Five Years' on June 22-25
/
Keiren Minter (from left), J. Tyler Lewis, Bethany Gere, Emily Burris, and Kasey Rowland are the cast and crew for ASC’s next musical “The Last Five Years.” Performances are set for June 22-25, 2023 in the Adam B. Robinson Jr. Black Box Theater at ART WORKS on Main, 627 S. Main St., in downtown Pine Bluff, AR.
Bethany Gere makes Directorial Debut with Robinson Black Box Show
Audience members are invited to experience an emotional examination of relationships as the two-person cast tells two sides of the same story during the Arts & Science Center’s next musical The Last Five Years.
Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, June 22-24 and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 25. The show will be in the Adam B. Robinson Jr. Black Box Theater, at ART WORKS on Main, 627 S. Main St. in Pine Bluff.
Written and composed by Jason Robert Brown, The Last Five Years chronicles a five-year relationship between Jamie, a rising novelist, and Cathy, a struggling actress. The show’s unconventional structure consists of Cathy telling her story backward while Jamie tells his story chronologically. Their experiences intersect only once when they share a wedding song.
Bethany Gere
The production is directed by Bethany Gere, who is a longtime ASC theater volunteer. She choreographed ASC’s productions of Legally Blonde the Musical, Sister Act, and Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. She is also making her debut as musical director of ASC’s July 2023 production of Rock of Ages. Gere’s performance credits are even longer. Her most recent acting role was creating magic in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella as Marie (an update to the Fairy Godmother). She recently completed her fourth year of teaching and, this month, joined the ASC staff as the public programs coordinator of The ARTSpace on Main.
“I’m excited to be able to direct a full show,” Gere says. “I connected with this show so much when I was younger, and bringing it to life has been so rewarding.”
She continued, “I’ve been on the choreography side of things, and the acting side of things, but this is my first time putting my director hat on at ASC!”
The male lead is double cast, with J. Tyler Lewis of Little Rock and Kasey Rowland of Pine Bluff splitting the role of Jamie.
Emily Burris
Lewis will perform in the June 22 and June 24 shows, with Rowland in the June 23 and June 25 performances.
Emily Burris will take on the role of Cathy in all four performances.
“Each show will be unique because of this double cast,” says Gere. “The consistency of Cathy is great and you’ll love it. Seeing the two actors pick up the different aspects and personalities of Jamie has been interesting. They are presented with the same information, but both play the role in their own ways. They’re all extremely talented.”
Gere explained how the show touches on numerous heavy topics. “So many people will find something in this show to connect with, including marriage, career, romantic struggles, self-doubt, and so much more. Several rehearsals have felt like therapy sessions for all of us at one point because of the subject matter.”
J. Tyler Lewis
Kasey Rowland
Tickets are $20 for members and seniors and $25 for nonmembers. They may be purchased here or by calling 870-536-3375. This production is sponsored by Robinson & Fuller Funeral Homes.
When purchasing tickets, please note this production includes mature themes and adult language/content. Please use discretion when purchasing tickets for young teens.
About The Cast
Emily Burris was previously seen in ASC’s productions of Sister Act (Sister Mary Roberts), Legally Blonde the Musical (Pilar), and 9 to 5 the Musical (Ensemble). Burris is the music teacher at East End Elementary school and East End Intermediate School.
Kasey Rowland’s ASC credits include Razzle Dazzle (2019 and 2021), You Have the Right to Remain Dead, ART WORKS Presents: A Cabaret of Life & Love, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Jean-Michel), and Murder on the Orient Express (Samuel Ratchett/Col. Arbuthnot). He also appeared in The Studio Theatre’s April 2023 production of The Color Purple (Buster/Ensemble). Rowland is a member of the U.S. Army Reserves, a student at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and an employee of Saracen Casino Resort. He has performed with the Pine Bluff Symphony Orchestra, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and other orchestras statewide.
J. Tyler Lewis’ ASC credits include ART WORKS Presents: Life and Love Cabaret, Razzle Dazzle: The Show Must Go On, and Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Sebastian). Other performance credits include Side Show (Houdini), Tuck Everlasting (Miles), Meet Me in St. Louis (Lonny), Breakfast at Tiffany's (Reporter), and Grease (Sonny). Lewis earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater from Ouachita Baptist University, and was recently named Little Rock Central High School’s 2023 Teacher of the Year.
