Academy Award®-nominated writer-director Richard LaGravenese (“The Fisher King”) will introduce his latest film, “The Last 5 Years” as the Centerpiece for the 50th Chicago International Film Festival (October 9 – 23). Starring Academy Award® nominee Anna Kendrick and Tony Award nominee Jeremy Jordan, “The Last 5 Years” will screen Wednesday, October 15, at the AMC River East 21 (322 E. Illinois St.) at 6 p.m.
“The Last 5 Years,” a rousing adaptation of the beloved Off-Broadway hit that originated at Chicago’s Northlight Theatre in 2001, chronicles the tumultuous five-year relationship between struggling actress Cathy (Anna Kendrick) and rising novelist Jamie (Jeremy Jordan). Told exclusively through song, their story comes to the screen via striking solos and heartrending harmony in this uplifting romance for today’s young artists and lovers of musical cinema.
“I love musicals, and ‘The Last 5 Years’ is a charming film adaptation of a timeless stage romance," said Founder and Artistic Director of the Chicago International Film Festival Michael Kutza. “The film takes the familiar formula of the romantic musical and makes it fresh with a by turns bright and heartrending score. LaGravenese has produced a piece that stands out for its powerful, yet subtle, rawness and vulnerability.”
About Richard LaGravenese
Richard LaGravenese’s credits include the screenplay for the HBO Emmy Award®-winning “Behind the Candelabra,” directed by Steven Soderbergh (Emmy Nomination for Best Writing in Television Movie/Mini Series, BAFTA nomination Best Screenplay). He previously earned Academy Award®, BAFTA and WGA award nominations for his original screenplay “The Fisher King”. His other screen writing credits include “Water for Elephants,” “The Bridges of Madison County,” “A Little Princess,” “The Horse Whisperer,” “The Ref,” “The Mirror Has Two Faces,” “Beloved” and “Unstrung Heroes.” LaGravenese wrote and directed the films “Living Out Loud,” “P.S. I Love You,” “Paris Je T’aime,” and “Beautiful Creatures,” as well as “Freedom Writers,” (Humanitas Prize for Best Screenplay). He co-produced and co-directed (with the late Ted Demme) the Emmy®-nominated documentary “A Decade Under the Influence" (National Board of Review's William Everson Film History Award).
Centerpiece Ticket Information
Tickets for the Centerpiece film are $16 for Cinema/Chicago members and $20 for non-members and can be purchased by calling the Festival Hotline at 312-332-FILM (3456); or at the Festival Store:www.chicagofilmfestival.com
Festival Passes, Ticketing and Theater Information
Festival Passes and Tickets are on sale now.
Pass options include:
Moviegoer (10 regular admissions): $100 for Cinema/Chicago members, $130 for non-members
Passport (20 regular admissions): $190 for Cinema/Chicago members, $240 for non-members
Individual ticket prices:
Regular films: $11/members, students*, and seniors*; $14/non-members (*with valid ID)
Weekday matinees (films only): $7 tickets, Monday-Friday through 5:00pm
10 after 10: $10 tickets, every day after 10:00pm
Special Presentations: $16/members, $20/non-members
Tickets and passes can be purchased online at www.chicagofilmfestival.com, by calling 312-332-FILM (3456), or in person at the Festival Box Office at AMC River East 21 (until October 9: 7 days a week, noon – 8:00pm; October 10-23: tickets will be on sale one hour before the start of the first show until the start of the last show).
Festival screenings will be held at the AMC River East 21 Theater (322 E. Illinois St.).
For the full schedule and ticketing information, visit www.chicagofilmfestival.com.
Broadway In Chicago is delighted to announce that individual tickets for CLUE, the hilarious murder mystery comedy inspired by the Hasbro board game…
Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces renowned Chicago director Ron OJ Parson will helm the North American premiere of Lolita Chakrabarti's Hymn, making his CST directorial debut.…
Trap Door Theatre is thrilled to continue its 31st season with a production of the renowned play, The Mannequins' Ball. Written by Bruno…
Upon entering the beautifully decorated lobby of Teatro Zinzanni theater on the 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel, you are…
Just as there are many Santa’s around town, this time of year we have a wide selection of Christmas and…
Today, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) unveiled the full program for the second performance series of its 2024/2025 season, Season 47: Winter Series.…
David Sedaris, author of the previous bestsellers Calypso, Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, and regular…
Hell in Handbag is pleased to host a special weekend of benefit performances during its upcoming 25th anniversary edition of Rudolph the Red-Hosed…
The Hip Hop Nutcracker has returned to Chicago by popular demand and is now playing at Broadway In Chicago’s CIBC Theatre…
[Reviewer’s Note: I’ve been reading a book whose main character is inveigled by Word of the Day; hence, I’ve striven…
Like a lot of people, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women has been mostly a cultural curiosity for much of my…
There is something magical about Chicago at Christmastime. Even if there is no snow on the ground, there is an…
Lights come down at the top of the show. We are clearly in a rehearsal hall as the ensemble lets…
Charm, romance and humor abound in the 2001 comedic masterpiece Lobby Hero by Kenneth Lonergan, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of…
Immediately following the gastronomical excesses of Thanksgiving are the monetary investments and personal sacrifices we make for Christmas. At the…
“No man is a failure who has friends,” is to film what “God bless us everyone” is to literature. Frank…
The Conspirators are proud to present the world premiere of Ayn Rand's "It's a Wonderful Life" as Performed by the Conspirators…
Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce Fun Home: Behind the Show Backstory with Artistic Director Michael Weber, Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 7…
Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce MEAN GIRLS – the record-breaking new musical comedy adapted from the hit Paramount Pictures film…
After pausing its operations last year to reorganize and create a new business model, Chicago's Tony-Award winning Lookingglass Theatre Company is proud…
City Lit Theater has announced its cast and creative team for the Chicago Premiere of GLASSHEART, by Chicago-based playwright Reina…
Steppenwolf's cozy downstairs theater provided the ideal setting for an evening of outstanding and expressive dance by the highly acclaimed…
I arrived at the Goodman Theatre for the opening of its 47th annual production of A Christmas Carol, directed by…
If you’re looking for a way to entertain the children (or grandchildren) this holiday season that doesn’t involve long lines,…
In 1997, Disney came out with the most magnificent adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella that has ever been made.…
What the hell is pantomime anyway? Will I be reviewing a game of Charades? Google to the rescue! But I…
The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival is pulling strings to raise funds this fall, offering three exclusive sneak peeks of…
Oil Lamp Theater is proud to announce the cast and creative team for its first production of the 2025 season, The Complete…
Chicago theatres will present a wide variety of festive plays, musicals, dance, and comedy offerings this holiday season. In support,…
Steep Theatre will kick off the new year with the Chicago Premiere of David Harrower's A Slow Air, directed by Steep…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.