The Last Five Years Spoilers - Saw it last night 3/26/25

I saw it last night and I really did go in with an open mind because I did not want to get caught up with the negativity online.

The show started strong. Adrienne is amazing. Duh. And Nick’s first song was actually really good. I was like okay yeah. This is great. Everyone was overreacting.

Then we got to Nick’s / Jamie’s second song. And for those who don’t know the show, it’s really his show stopping number. And yeah the show stopped… The energy was sucked out of the room as the audience watched him struggle with every high note. He also optioned down on all the riffs, and can’t seem to riff on any vowel except “O.” So he would stop the actual lyrics short so he can “ooOoOoo.” Very pop star…

Moving Too Fast brought me so far out of the show that by time The Schmuel Song came on I couldn’t really pay attention. They looked like they were having fun, the staging of it was great, but my mind was racing with all sorts of thoughts:

Why is he playing this role? Why is he up against one of the greatest voices on Broadway? No wonder people are saying she’s doing too much - which she absolutely was not, more on that later. Why, after Funny Girl, is this still happening. He’s already rich and famous and successful and has notoriety, why take this opportunity away from someone else?

My thoughts continued: Amanda Seyfried recently said something about how she was not prepared to sing live in the Les Mis movie. Imagine being one of the many women who auditioned for that part who CAN sing live hearing that. In this day and age where the gap between the rich and the poor is evermore glaringly apparent, I can’t help but think about how this casting choice exacerbates this problem. Nick Jonas already has more than anyone could ever want. Why is he taking this role? Why are the powers that be giving it to him? He’s obviously not ready to sing this role. Let him work his theatre chops out in smaller venues, not where the best and the brightest are supposed to be showcased. Just like Kim and Kanye’s kid in whatever show she was in and did terribly. Give her a spot in a show that’s at her level. Let them work their way up like the rest of us.

Also, as an auditioning actor, it’s infuriating on another level. My range is listed on my resume. I’ve auditioned over and over and over and over again for casting that’s asked me to sing the same songs over and over and over again. I’ve sent in range tests and been asked to do range tests in the room. The average NYC MT actor should be appalled by Nick Jonas being on a Broadway stage struggling with his notes.

People on TikTok have already pointed out how this is a live example of black excellence and white mediocrity…

And lastly about this particular issue; Jamie sucks. Yes they are both responsible for the breakdown of their marriage, but Jamie is the one who lies and cheats. His only redeemable quality, in my opinion, is his charm. And that charm is laced with his undeniable talent - which is why his songs are written that way. If Jamie can’t sing his incredible songs incredibly, then his character’s sudden rise to stardom feels less like meant to be magic and more like you’re just an average white (passing) man who got lucky. And yeah. That happens. But is that supposed to be the story of this show?

Okay. Back to the show. The Next Ten Minutes was SO weird. Staged like their wedding night. Which makes zero sense. I really tried to justify the choice over and over and it doesn’t make any sense. The lyrics do not match with an after ceremony / reception dialogue in your room taking off your tux and wedding dress.

Adrienne is absolutely amazing. Did I say that already? But she never loses it. Something I love about Sherie Rene Scott is that there’s an edge in her voice in certain songs. Almost like a screech in the best way. Adrienne’s Climbing Uphill was too tame. I wanted to see her lose it. Also, again the direction / staging of it was so weird. The first time after she sings “When You Come Home To Me,” it looks like she gets a phone call with good news. She’s silently smiling and celebrating in the montage leading up to Climbing Uphill, and I’m just like ??? Yes when you’re auditioning it’s a barrage of good news and bad news, but the lead up to this song I thought should be bad news after bad news after bad news which leads her to singing this song.

As the show went on I accepted it for what it was. Nick sounds fine on most of his songs. No big giant riffs, and any riffs were opted down. His voice cracked on one high note. Don’t remember the song.

The emotional impact wasn’t there for me. Not sure if that’s because my mind was elsewhere. Some people leaving the theatre did say out loud that they had no chemistry. That could have been it. I don’t know if Nick has the acting chops to make the audience feel anything during his last numbers. Made me think of the last time Hair was on Broadway. The entire cast was AMAZING but there was one American Idol alum, Diana DeGarmo, who could sing like the best of them, but I felt nothing when she sang, meanwhile I had chills when the others did.

No chills at all last night. Sadly. And I love this show.

There’s talk on TikTok about how people criticizing the casting choice of Adrienne is all racism. And while there is undeniably casual racism in all corners of the internet. She was not a believable struggling actress in the show. And the promotional clips that were released really made both of them look bad. She does not over sing in any part of the show. She truly masters the music. However, like I said, the audition / Climbing Uphill montage was missing something. Desperation? That thing that happens when your nerves take over and a generally good singer loses their confidence in the audition room so the song comes out bad / unprepared. Just something in that montage that makes us believe she’s actually considering ending her career. She’s sings she “will not be the girl stuck at home in the burbs.” You’re only considering being a girl in the burbs if you’re considering ending your career and we didn’t see anything to lead us to believe she would be considering that.

Phew! I know that was long. The last thing I’ll say is this show made me appreciate my lovely Taylor Swift. So random, I know. But does anyone do anything just for the fans anymore? The die hard fans of TL5Y would come out to see it no matter who they cast. There’s no need to drop a celebrity in there who can’t sing the show. But they - powers that be - wanted to sell tickets. Heck the fans who know and love the show already. Meanwhile Taylor’s last release was a 30 something song album that the general public does not care about, and the critics roasted for being too long and self indulgent. But you know who ate that up? Her die hard fans. You know who would have eaten up a less famous Jamie who could actually sing the part? The die hard fans of this show.

Stray Observations:

Can we just say “bookstore in Kentucky.” And let it be. No need to name drop any of them. Especially Target! I guess we can’t cause then it would be “I saw your book at a bookstore in Kentucky,” which is saying the word book too often. Sigh.

Strange lyric changes in the start of A Miracle Would Happen. Like the OG lyrics were fine and unoffensive?

Of all the minute lyric changes, funny Jamie still sings about a new copy of Backstage and how she’s perfect for something on every page. Is Backstage still in print? Of all the little things to update, like they update her audition dress to “outfit,” but still have her thumbing through a hard copy of Backstage.

Okay I swear I’m done. I wonder if the official reviewers will be honest or overly kind.