The Last 5 Years 2nd Stage - See it while it Lasts

The Last 5 Years @ 2nd Stage Theatre delivers a 1st rate, 2 character musical that portrays a marriage gone painfully awry.  The cleverly staged show plants the muscians on the back wall.  The very talented singers/actors Jamie (Adam Kanter) & Cathy (Betsy Wolfe) take us through the rush of initial attraction, to marriage and through the fissures that irreparably tear the couple apart.  The play begins with Jamie leaving and Cathy removing her wedding ring.  Cathy sings poignantly of the hurt she still feels, questioning why Jamie "was so certain we had no chance," and of the "scars she did not earn, what lessons to be learned?"  It 1st appears Jamie is clearly at fault for ending their marriage.  Knowing their love is ill-fated makes the story told in hindsight all the more sorrowful.  Yet, hindsight is 20/20 and neither is blameless for "breaking the circle."  Both Kantor & Wolfe are seasoned B'wy musical veterans with beautiful singing voices & honed acting chops.  Thanks to the sophisticated script and songwriting by Tony winner Jason Robert Brown, the 5 year relationship moves at rapid pace.  Jamie sings of a "limited time to be happy and how lucky it is to be in love."  I sing praises for this show.  I loved it!