‘The Last Five Years’

You say goodbye and I say hello,” sang The Beatles in 1967. Thibodaux Playhouse (314 St. Mary St., near downtown Thibodaux in the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center) will play out those lyrics when it presents Jason Brown’s unconventional one-act musical “The Last Five Years” Thursday, July 24, to Sunday, July 27.

All times are at 7:30 p.m. except for the Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. For reservations, call (985) 446-1896.

“Years” tells a straightforward tale about the star-crossed love between successful writer Jamie (Kalon Thibodeaux, who is also directing) and less-successful actress Cathy (Toni Guidry) – except that Cathy’s story is told backward from the time of the couple’s divorce.

Jamie’s story is told in regular chronological order, beginning when the two go on their first date.

Adding to the unusualness, the couple appear onstage together but do not interact, except in the middle when they duet on their wedding song. Unfortunately, the temptations accompanying his literary success help cause Jamie to be unfaithful.

Thibodeaux, a Tri-parish-area native who lives in California, has acted previously in numerous productions for the playhouse. He co-authored the children’s musical “The Princess Who Couldn’t Cry” in 2000 with Pat Crochet, who is directing Le Petit Theatre de Terrebonne’s production of “The Sound of Music” in July.

Thibodeaux will return to the West Coast following his stint in “Years.”