BURLINGTON CENTER FOR THE ARTS presents "The Last Five Years"

There is something fresh and exciting on the arts scene in Burlington that has arisen from the thriving programs at Burlington High School. Former BHS students have taken their experience and love for music, theatre and the visual arts, combined it with the momentum in our town to grow the town center into a flourishing community space, and created Burlington Center for the Arts.

Ovian, Parker and Cook collaborate on  staging

The inaugural event for Burlington Center for the Arts will take place on Friday, August 19 with the production of Jason Robert Brown’s award winning musical drama, The Last Five Years, a remarkable work and favorite from  contemporary musical theatre. The story follows an ambitious and headstrong writer, and an aspiring but not so successful actress through their  relationship in a chronological/counter-chronological narration that offers a level of depth to this painfully sad and, at times, hilariously silly, piece of award-winning theatre.

The two-person cast stars Zaven Ovian and Jamie Cook, both by-products of Burlington High School musical theatre productions. Cook graduated from BHS in 2009 and is currently studying at Hofstra University in New York. Ovian will be entering his senior year at Burlington High School with his sights set on New York City. Both actors have a number of impressive credits and possess a charismatic stage presence.

The directing team features Brad Jensen (BHS 2008) and Kevin Parker (BHS 2010).

Burlington Center for the Arts is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of arts in Burlington. Educating youth in the arts is a primary aim of the organization with a long-term goal to create and maintain a venue for educational arts groups, regional theatre companies and dance troupes, and local artists to rehearse, perform, or showcase their skills.

The performance of The Last Five Years will take place at the UCC Congregational Education Building at 6 Lexington Street in Burlington at 7:30 pm. A silent auction will also take place during the evening's event including items from The Huntington Theatre and Beacon Grille.


Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and senior citizens and can be reserved at 866-936-4354, by email at burlingtonarts@gmail.com or purchased at the door. For more information about Burlington Center for the Arts, visit their website at www.sites.google.com/site/BurlingtonCenterForTheArts.