(HAMMONTON, NJ) -- Eagle Theatre’s production of Jason Robert Brown’s 2002 Drama Desk Award Winner, The Last Five Years, opens June 1st and runs through July 1st. Best known for its catchy melodies, ranging from waltzes to rhythm and blues, it is the unconventional story structure that makes The Last 5 Years most unique. Brown creates a world in which Jamie tells his side of the tale in chronological order, while Cathy relives the relationship backwards. Their stories intersect only once, in the middle, on their wedding day. 

This unique storytelling technique is not the production’s only evocative trait. Boasting over 83 minutes of multi-media throughout, Eagle Theatre’s The Last 5 Years, is not your average two person show. Producing Director, Ed Corsi, claims “We have been storyboarding and filming segments for the show for over six months. We are excited to share a fresh approach to this contemporary classic!” 

In addition to the film aspects, the set also features a 20 foot wide turntable that has the ability to move clockwise and counterclockwise, promising to make The Last 5 Years more than just a tour de force. 

However, the design elements are not the only new aspect of the production. Co-stars Jenna Pastuszek and Max Meyers bring their own take to the roles originally made famous by Norbert Leo Butz and Sherie Rene Scott. In 2014, a film adaptation premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival, staring Jeremy Jordan and Anna Kendrick.

Pastuszek states, “You have to ask yourself, what can I bring to this story or this character that hasn't already been done? You have to bring yourself to it; otherwise, it'll feel stale and general.”

Meyers adds, “This production at The Eagle is unique because it’s the only time these people have told the story. Because of that simple, important fact, it will be different than ever before, and entirely new.”

The Eagle Theatre, South Jersey’s only year-round professional Equity theatre, is dedicated to redefining regional theatre through innovation, enlightened production techniques and the development of eclectic theatrics.

Under The Direction of Ted Wioncek III & Ed Corsi, this nationally recognized, award-winning regional theatre produces more than 160 live performances each year, including full-scale Broadway caliber World Premieres and re-conceptualized revivals; New Works Development Series, a play reading series dedicated the nurturing local playwrights; a traveling Theatre for Youth Audiences program, specializing in providing arts education to schools in under served communities; an Annual Fringe Festival, a 3-day street fair and theatrical marathon, featuring multiple eclectic productions, a beer and wine garden, pop-up art, food, live music, and street performers; Innovations Factory, a core of theming artist dedicated to experimental storytelling through medium advancing technology; and Eagle Theatre Conservatory, a year-round tuition based theatrical institute for all ages and levels of professionalism. In addition, Eagle Theatre is serves on Facebook’s inaugural SMB Council for Small Business.

The Eagle Theatre’s beginnings were humble, with just a simple announcement printed in the local newspaper in June of 1914, stating that “Mr. Litke will put up a concrete building on his lot on Vine Street, for his moving picture winter theatre.” From that, the Eagle Theatre was born.

Eagle Theatre originally opened its doors in 1914 as a silent movie theatre and playhouse from 1914 until 1944, when it was then sold to the Pentecostal Assembly of God and converted into a church. The church occupied the building for 15 years, then sold it to Harry and Evelyn Hitman in 1959. The Hitman’s used the building for storage until 2006. By that time, the old building was on the verge of being demolition. Tracy Petrongolo, the head of the Hammonton’s arts and cultural committee, researched the building’s history and determined that it was worthy of preservation. What followed was a remarkable example of dedication by a devoted base of volunteers who were intent on seeing the theatre restored.

The theatre was restored in 2009 to serve as a performing arts center. Since the reopening, Eagle Theatre has quickly grown into a nationally recognized non-profit producing organization.

Today, this award-winning culturally diverse epicenter boasts state of the art technical equipment, a free parking lot, Sharrott Winery’s on-site Wine Lounge, and is located within walking distance of several boutiques and acclaimed dining destinations in beautifully revitalized Downtown Hammonton, serving patrons from New Jersey, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond.