Lauren Samuels, who rose to fame as a runner up in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s televised search for a Dorothy, Over The Rainbow, is to star in Jason Robert Brown’s musical The Last Five Years.
The two-handed piece, which adds a chronological twist to the story of a five-year relationship, is to be staged at the Tabard theatre from 9 February to 5 March and also features rising musical theatre star Christopher Pym.
Brown’s musical tells the story of aspiring novelist Jamie and struggling actress Cathy, who fall in and out of love in the space of half a decade. It follows an innovatively twisted timeline, telling Jamie’s story from beginning to end, but Cathy’s from the end to the beginning of the relationship; the pair only meeting at the same point in time in the middle of the show.
The musical premiered in Illinois in 2001 before opening off-Broadway in 2002 and receiving its UK premiere at the Menier Chocolate Factory in 2006. It has since been staged in the West End at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2009 and Duchess theatre in 2010.
Since finishing third in Over The Rainbow, Samuels has made her West End debut, starring as Sandy in the popular production of Grease at the Piccadilly theatre.
MA