After Hurricane Irma re-organized Marathon Community Theatre’s 2017-18 season, the first stage piece is ready for this weekend.

Kara Pascucci and Devin Clarke will star in “The Last Five Years” on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, Nov. 16-18. It’s a 2002 musical penned by Jason Robert Brown, made famous by the 2015 movie of the same name starring Anna Hendrick. But get this — the role of Jamie Wellerstein was made famous by Norbert Leo Butz of “Bloodline” filmed in Islamorada, who just so happens to be playing a benefit concert in Key West this weekend. Wow!

“We’ve been trying to get in touch with him to invite him to the show,” said Clarke.

Pascucci and Clarke performed “The Last Five Years” three years ago as a reading in the theatre gallery. Now, it’s coming to the main stage and the two are self-directing. It’s an easy role for the two as they have appeared in almost a dozen shows together, plus co-direct the summer theater program for kids every year.

The story centers on a five-year relationship between Jamie Wellerstein, a rising novelist, and Cathy Hiatt, a struggling actress. Wellerstein tells the story in chronological order, while Hiatt starts at the end and moves backward. The only time the two characters interact is during the wedding song in year three.

“It’s a love story, from the first date to the finale,” said Clarke.

“But it’s honest. Not all relationships work,” said Pascucci.

Clarke said his character is an up-and-coming author whose early success goes to his head a little bit. Pascucci said her character, an aspiring actress who struggles to succeed, has a hard time coming to terms with their very different career paths.

The show, they said, has sad parts, happy parts and funny parts. The contemporary music ranges from rock to Broadway musical styles.

“The Last Five Years” runs Thursday to Saturday, Nov. 16-18 at Marathon Community Theatre. Curtain is at 8 p.m. and tickets are $12 each. To purchase tickets online, visit www.marathontheater.org or call 305-394-1588.

Devin Clarke, left, and Kara Pascucci are collaborating on the first show of the theater’s season in “The Last Five Years.” SARA MATTHIS/Contributed

 

Sara Matthis thinks community journalism is important, but not serious; likes weird and wonderful children (she has two); and occasionally tortures herself with sprint-distance triathlons, but only if she has a good chance of beating her sister.