The Last Five Years

The show spans the length of five years—the length of Cathy and Jamie's relationship. The story is told from Cathy’s perspective from the end of their marriage, and from Jamie’s when they first meet. As the musical unfolds, Cathy moves backwards in time to the beginning of the relationship as Jamie moves toward the end.

Cathy sits alone, having just read a note from her husband Jamie that their marriage is over and that he wants a divorce. Somewhat bitterly, she ruminates on how much it hurts and how he is already moving on without her (“Still Hurting”).

The show switches to Jamie’s point of view. He has just met Cathy and he is in bliss; he feels like this is the woman his whole life has been leading up to ("Shiksa Goddess").

Cathy (again, moving back in time) is in Ohio, where she is working for the summer as an actress, and is hopeful about mending her broken marriage ("See I'm Smiling"). Jamie has come to visit and she is hoping that she will be able to