'The Last Five Years' Continues at ACT of CT

Jamie is sure something wonderful died

Jamie decides it's his right to decide

Jamie's got secrets he doesn't confide

And I'm still hurting - Lyrics from "Still Hurting" sung by Cathy

I was invited to experience the livestream of ACT of Connecticut’s production of THE LAST FIVE YEARS on Friday. It was a joy to be “at” ACT of CT after a long intermission, virtually at least. The two-person musical by Jason Robert Brown was performed by ACT of CT Artistic Director Daniel Levine and Executive Director Katie Diamond; ACT’s Resident Music Supervisor Bryan Perri, and the husband of Mr. Levine, was the musical director and onstage conductor.

I found the entire process of getting into the livestream very easy.

The email containing the link also included a few important reminders. Because the performance was streaming live, viewers were unable to pause or rewind. The performance began pretty close to the promised 7pm curtain and ran approximately 75 minutes in length. The musical was performed without an intermission, so be prepared with snacks, drinks, and restroom needs. There was a ten-page help document attached to the email that I did not need in order to watch on my desktop, but I surely would have required it if I wanted to watch on my television or iPad. The email also noted that if we needed assistance, the theatre had someone standing by to assist by calling the box office.

Ten minutes before showtime, I clicked the provided link as instructed by Elle Smith, Patron Services Coordinator and I was in. I was glad that I got there in time to see the two actors and the music director do their “curtain speech.”

The technical aspects of the production made it easier to watch than Zoom boxes and it almost felt like being with the audience in Ridgefield; it was nice to hear applause when the music stopped.

Following the livestream, ticket holders were sent a heartfelt thank you from the two performers, asking patrons to post on social media about the show and ACT of CT’s return. “These things are truly important for our success, especially during challenging times like these. As always, it is our goal to continue to make Ridgefield an arts destination and to bring you incredible theater - even during a pandemic!”


Please note that critics in the Connecticut Critics Circle were asked not to write a review of the performance. “We want The Last Five Years to be a celebration of not only ACT's reopening, but also the return of live musicals. Therefore, we are asking you not to review this production. We understand that our decision to forgo reviews means that this production will not be considered for any Connecticut Critics Circle Awards in the spring.” They did, however, grant me permission to publish my thoughts on the livestream experience of ACT’s return to their stage..

Click here to read Hamlet Hub’s reporting on the THE LAST FIVE YEARS livestream experience.


Phase three Connecticut reopening guidelines permit an audience capacity of 50% for indoor performances, with social distancing measures in place. In order to adhere to the social distancing guidelines, ACT will seat 50 patrons per performance, which is only 25% of our total capacity. (Given the limited capacity for this production, critics were asked to attend virtually.)

The Last Five Years will be performed at ACT of Connecticut from October 28 through November 15, with both limited in-person seating and livestream tickets available.

For “in-person” and livestream tickets, please visit actofct.org

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417.