The Last Five Years review – Rachel Zegler and Ben Platt make time stand still
#Rachel Zegler #Ben Platt #The Last Five Years #musical #review #Broadway #performance
📌 Key Takeaways
- Rachel Zegler and Ben Platt star in a revival of the musical 'The Last Five Years'.
- The production is praised for making time feel emotionally still through its performances.
- The review highlights the actors' chemistry and vocal strengths in the two-character show.
- The musical explores a relationship's timeline through non-linear storytelling.
📖 Full Retelling
🏷️ Themes
Musical Revival, Performance Review
📚 Related People & Topics
Rachel Zegler
American actress and singer (born 2001)
Rachel Anne Zegler ( ZEG-lər; born May 3, 2001) is an American actress and singer. She gained wide recognition for her performance as María in Steven Spielberg's film adaptation West Side Story (2021), winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. She has ...
Ben Platt
American actor and singer (born 1993)
Benjamin Schiff Platt (born September 24, 1993) is an American actor and singer. The son of film and theater producer Marc Platt and philanthropist Julie Platt, he began his acting career in musical theater as a child and appeared in productions of The Sound of Music (2006) and The Book of Mormon (2...
The Last Five Years
2001 musical by Jason Robert Brown
The Last Five Years is a musical written by Jason Robert Brown. It premiered at Chicago's Northlight Theatre in 2001 and was then produced Off-Broadway in March 2002. Since then it has had numerous productions, both in the United States and internationally, and a Broadway production in 2025.
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Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
This review matters because it evaluates a high-profile theatrical production featuring two of Hollywood's most prominent young stars, Rachel Zegler and Ben Platt, whose involvement signals continued crossover between film and stage. It affects theater enthusiasts who follow Broadway adaptations, fans of Jason Robert Brown's musical, and industry professionals tracking casting trends and revival success. The production's reception could influence future revivals of contemporary musicals and demonstrate whether star power translates to critical acclaim in intimate theatrical settings.
Context & Background
- The Last Five Years is a musical by Jason Robert Brown that premiered Off-Broadway in 2002, known for its unconventional structure where one character's story moves forward in time while the other's moves backward
- Rachel Zegler gained fame starring in Steven Spielberg's 2021 West Side Story remake and has since become one of Hollywood's most sought-after young actors
- Ben Platt originated the title role in Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway, winning a Tony Award in 2017, and has become known for both stage and screen musical performances
- The musical has had several notable productions including a 2014 film adaptation starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan, establishing it as a modern cult classic
What Happens Next
Following this production's run, attention will turn to whether it transfers to Broadway or other major theaters, and whether Zegler and Platt's performances generate awards consideration. The production may influence casting decisions for other musical revivals seeking to attract younger audiences through film-star involvement. Industry observers will monitor whether this leads to more contemporary musical revivals with similar high-profile casting approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
The musical features two characters whose timelines move in opposite directions—one story progresses chronologically while the other moves backward in time. They only meet in the middle during their wedding scene, creating a poignant narrative device that explores relationship dynamics from contrasting perspectives.
Both actors represent the new generation of musical theater performers who have achieved mainstream fame through film adaptations. Their casting bridges Broadway and Hollywood audiences, bringing increased visibility to the production and demonstrating continued interest in stage work among successful film actors.
This revival reflects the growing trend of contemporary musicals (1990s-2000s) receiving major revivals with star casting. It also continues the pattern of intimate, character-driven musicals finding success alongside large-scale spectacles, appealing to audiences seeking emotional depth and sophisticated storytelling.
Performers must navigate the complex chronological structure while maintaining emotional continuity, often performing solo numbers without scene partners. The score demands strong vocal range and acting-through-song abilities, requiring actors to convey complete character arcs within individual musical numbers.