The Last Five Years is being done in concert with a tweak or two

Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years is an intimate musical charting the course of a relationship. Jamie and Cathy meet, fall in love, marry and eventually get divorced. From his viewpoint, it's told chronologically; from hers, from end to beginning.

Chronological differences aside, it sounds straightforward - so why the change?

Producer-director Jonathan Rush says he wanted to create opportunities for Canberra performers as well as diversify the characters of Jamie and Cathy.

He's mounting the bittersweet musical in a concert version with a band led by musical director Jessica Coote.

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Rush is also performing in the show, along with Dave Collins, Belle Nicol, Tracy Noble, Dave Smith and Rachel Thornton, all members of the Canberra theatre community and many of whom he's performed with in previous shows.

"We've got three women and three men of varying ages," Rush says.

"I wanted to bring out some new things in the show and make it a bit more unusual."

The Last Five Years premiered in 2001 and Rush says society has come a long way since then in how relationships are viewed - it's not always just one man-one woman - and how gender roles are seen: for example, both men and women can be stronger or weaker, successful or successful in their careers, faithful or unfaithful.

As the story progress, actors in different combinations of age and gender will perform the songs, broadening the ways in which the characters and their relationship are viewed.

Rush fell in love with The Last Five Years 10 years ago and thinks his changes - which don't extend to the music or the text - will help broaden the appeal of the show.

"The music and the lyrics are really poignant," Rush says, capturing the many emotions that can surface during a relationship: infatuation, joy, pain, jealousy, to name a few.

But there are also layers of irony and very funny moments.

"I first fell in love with The Last Five Years 10 years ago. Ever since its dynamic, soaring songs have stayed with me - they're a musical theatre performer's dream," Rush says.

"They're also incredibly moving - The Last Five Years will appeal to anyone who has ever been in love."

Wherever people are in a relationship, Rush says, they will be able to relate to the characters and the story.

Rush has directed - at university in Sydney - and acted - his Canberra musicals include Jersey Boys and Assassins - but never taken on double duty.

"It's a lot more work than I thought it would be," he says.

Because of the show's small scale, he's been able to focus on performances and character and the cast have had plenty of input.

"I really enjoyed it - it's been a collaborative effort."

The Last Five Years: In Concert is on at Belconnen Community Theatre from April 5 to 9. See: trybooking.com.

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