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Theater Review: ‘Last Five Years’ has right balance
By Cheri Taylor-Trbovich – 04/03/2009

Same Difference Inclusive Theatre Co.’s production of “The Last Five Years” sensitively and honestly portrays a five-year relationship between Jamie Wellerstein, a writer (Landon Hansen), and Cathy Hiatt, a performer (JoAnne McAllister-Nordhagen).

They each recount the history of their relationship, she from end to beginning, and he from beginning to end.

Hansen and McAllister-Nordhagen have created complex characters that are relatable, and compliment one another beautifully. Both deliver commanding individual vocal performances, and together sound absolutely marvelous. Each proves that stage performance is his or her forte, and makes “The Last Five Years” a must-see production.

The music is fabulous and encompasses a variety of musical styles. Each of the 14 songs tells an independent story, and the author has brilliantly woven them together to create an engaging and genuine musical. My hat’s off to music director Dave Coleman and the orchestra who so capably play such a diverse score.

My favorite songs include “The Schmuel Song,” set during the holiday season. In this song, Hansen does a superb job addressing Jamie’s concern for Cathy’s future. He tells a story about a Jewish character, Schmuel, in which parallels are drawn to illustrate Cathy’s need to “take a breath, take a chance, take your time.” The portrayal is charming and endearing.

In “Climbing Uphill,” Cathy examines the balance between her marriage, career and her husband’s successes. She shows her vulnerability, insecurity and final resolve to “not be the girl who requires a man to get by.” McAllister-Nordhagen shows versatility and gives so much through her stunning voice.

“The Last Five Years” is a poignant and heartrending production that offers the right balance of emotion, reality and humor to make it an enjoyable experience. I strongly recommend this production, which is best suited for mature audiences.

Cheri Taylor-Trbovich majored in drama dance at the University of Montana, where she earned a degree in interpersonal communications. She is a veteran stage performer who has appeared with a variety of acting troupes in Butte over the past 20 years.

If you go … Same Difference Inclusive Theatre Co. presents the contemporary musical, “The Last Five Years” at the troupe’s theater, 900 W. Broadway St. Shows are Friday, April 3, and Saturday, April 4, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, April 5, at 2 p.m. “The Last Five Years” is appropriate for mature audiences, and reservations are requested. Adult admission is $11; student/senior admission is $9. Call 498-3483.

Hello All-

After many years of his own faithful recycling, Landon has finally inspired me to get on the bandwagon. I, in turn, am hoping to inspire you to recycle, too. Of course, environmentally, recycling is critically important…and now…your recycling can benefit SDITC…here’s how:

You can take your separated recyclables to A & S Metals (2100 Meadowlark-out by the Forset Service) and have them weighed. They will give you a slip for the value, which you take inside and tell them it’s for Same Difference Inclusive Theatre Company. They will put it in our file, and send us a check periodically.

A & S metals accepts all recyclable materials except glass and tires. Right now, they are not paying for paper and some cardboards, but they are accepting them, and will start paying again in the future. They ask that you rinse out cans and plastic containers before bringing them. They ask that you sort things to keep all plastics together, all paper together, all cardboard together, etc. They don’t care what kind of container or bags you put the items in. They are open Mon-Sat 8am-5pm. So, please help SDITC and the environment by recycling!!!

Please let me know if you have questions, or call A & S Metals at 494-1661.

Happy Recycling-
Melissa

From the Billings Gazette…

Before the Highland Elementary gym became a lunchroom Tuesday, it was crowded with young scientists for the annual science fair.

The event is something Tommy Moody, 8, wouldn’t ordinarily have a chance to do. He’s a special-needs student in one of the self-contained classrooms at the school, and standing in front of his display with his fifth-grade “buddies,” he couldn’t be still for a second and could hardly speak.

His attention flipped from the three-sided display to a yellow ball being caught in a rolled-up room divider hanging from the ceiling. Then, just as quickly, his pointing arms were wrapped around Kathleen Herbert, 11, his “big buddy.”

“He’s happy all the time,” said Ben Bruner, 11.

The science fair paired students in Darla Williams’ fifth-grade class with special-needs students in Grace Katolas’ Life Skills class. Katolas’ students range in age from 6 to 9, and this is the first time students in both classes have worked together on science projects.

“We would never be able to do this without the buddies,” Katolas said.

Bruner and Herbert helped Moody with the project by testing the strength of different brands of paper towels. They weighted the wet paper towels with pennies until they tore. Herbert and Bruner applied the scientific method to the project, and Moody did much of the assembly of the display, coloring, cutting and gluing.

…read more…