16 things to do in Wilmington this weekend, including musical 'The Last 5 Years'

Judging from the warm weather this week, we'll call this weekend Wilmington's first (unofficial) weekend of summer. Plenty of good options to keep you entertained as well.

'The Last Five Years'

Let's start with marriage. That most complex of social institutions. A great one is what we all strive for (right?), but if you count the marriages that are either unhappy or end in divorce, saying "I do" is not for the faint of heart, as many of us know.

"The Last Five Years" is a 2002 musical by Jason Robert Brown that examines one doomed, short-lived marriage in particular, running its key moments of love and betrayal backward and forward in time to Brown's tuneful, piano-driven soft rock songs; his whip-smart sense of humor; and the show's only two characters: up-and-coming, self-absorbed novelist Jamie Wellerstein and struggling, good-hearted actress Cathy Hiatt.

Under the direction of Justin Smith for Opera House Theatre Co., a well-staged, great-sounding production of "The Last Five Years" runs through Sunday in Thalian Hall's upstairs studio theater and brings the timeless tale into the Instagram age, complete with projected status updates and text messages.

The projections on a circular screen (like a wedding band?) are seamless and well-done, and help us keep the timeline straight — Cathy's story arc goes backward in time while Jamie's goes forward — without distracting from the songs, which have made "The Last Five Years" something of a cult favorite in the world of musical theater.

Paul Teal plays Jamie, and he's not only a strong singer but he also gets Jamie's relentlessly driven self-focus while nailing the woe-is-me humor of such songs as "A Miracle Would Happen," in which Jamie begins to mentally justify cheating on Cathy.

Jordan Davis, whose sweet voice sends chills on such lilters as "Still Hurting," plays Cathy, and the character comes off more like One Of Us as opposed to Jamie's success-obsessed alpha-human. She's not really a belter and doesn't hit all of her notes, but Davis creates and embodies a character who's more likeable and relatable than the emotionally brutal Jamie, whose love for Cathy often feels like it's dependent on her being able to achieve his definition of success.

Ultimately, they're a mismatched pair, which makes "The Last Five Years" feel all too sadly real.

More: North Carolina artists conquer the Cameron Art Museum: 776 pieces flood the space

A compact, efficient set by Terry Collins gives the actors plenty of nooks and crannies to move between, and it must be said that without the stellar playing of music director and pianist Brian Whitted (his excellent band includes guitarist J. Robert Raines, violinist Danielle Stewart and bassist Vince Bove), the show would not sound as good, or as effortlessly polished, as it does.

"The Last Five Years" is all very sad and beautiful, and, depending on your point of view — and I'm speaking as a person who's 0-for-a-lifetime in terms of relationships — more than a little sobering. If you really need a reminder that marriage is tough, "The Last Five Years" is a pretty gentle one.

Details: 7:30 p.m. May 5-7, 2 p.m. May 8 at Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St., Wilmington. 910-632-2285 or ThalianHall.org.

WEEKEND EVENTS, MAY 6-8

ALL WEEKEND

Widespread Panic

At Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Expect a massively busy weekend in downtown Wilmington as fans of longtime jam band Widespread Panic descend on our fair city for a three-night stand. It's the second time the band, which has inherited its musical mantle from The Grateful Dead, has played a three-night stand in Wilmington in less than a year, having opened the new Live Oak Bank Pavilion last July. 7 p.m. May 6-8, $65 general admission, plus fees.

Bloodkin

At The Palm Room: Billed as the after-party for the Widespread Panic show downtown, it'll be played by these longtime Athens, Georgia, rock 'n' rollers who have collaborated with the Panic over the years. Band co-founder Danny Hutchens died last year, but Bloodkin is soldering on with a revamped lineup led by fellow co-founder Eric Carter. 11 p.m. May 6-7, $15.

Port City's Top Comic

At Dead Crow Comedy Room: This competition is back for the first time since the pandemic, and is being held for the first time at the Dead Crow's sweet new location on North Third Street. Some of the best comics from Wilmington, as well as from around the state and region, will compete for the title of funniest person in Wilmington. Prelims on Friday and Saturday, finals on Sunday. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. May 6-7, 8 p.m. May 8. $13-$23.

Wilmington Dance Festival

At Kenan Auditorium, UNCW campus: The Wilmington Dance Festival returns from the pandemic with dances by 12 different choreographers, including Wilmington's own Nancy Carson, Sue Meier, Kate Muhlstein and Tracey Varga. Presented by UNCW's Office of the Arts with The Dance Cooperative, a Wilmington group that's been part of the local arts community for more than two decades. 7:30 p.m. May 6-7 , $10-$23.

More: The Wilmington Dance Festival returns, with 12 works that channel pop culture, pandemic

FRIDAY

DJ Logic

At Bourgie Nights: Another Widespread Panic after-party, this one headlined by the legendary DJ who, since the 1990s, has been using jazz as a starting point for all kinds of musical explorations. 10:30 p.m. May 6, $20-$25.

End of the Line

At Live at Ted's: Wilmington old-time, Americana and bluegrass favorites bring their down-home sound and solid musical chops to this Castle Street listening room. 8 p.m. May 6, $7 at the door.

Stray Local

At Waterline Brewing: Former Wilmington duo comprised of married couple Hannah Lomas and Jamie Rowan bring their mix of rock, pop and folk back to town for this show at one of downtown's most comfortable hangouts. 7-9 p.m. May 6, free.

SATURDAY

Free Comic Book Day

Wilmington comic book shops, including Memory Lane downtown and FanBoy on South College Road, will be giving out tons of free comics and having special sales for non-free items. Plus, check out the work of local artists, including Bryan Ashley Jacobs at FanBoy and HP Fangs at Memory Lane. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 7, free.

Wilmington's Symphony's 'Azalea Suite'

At CFCC Wilson Center: Longtime Wilmington Symphony Orchestra conductor Steven Errante concludes his 35th season with the WSO with premiere of his original "Azalea Suite" composition. Concert will also feature work by Debussy, as well as the overture to Tchaikovsky’s "Romeo and Juliet." 7:30 p.m. May 7, tickets start at $25.

Acme Revue

At the Opera Room: You won't find a cooler place to be in downtown Wilmington on Saturday night than the Opera Room on Grace Street, which hosts the Acme Revue. The multi-disciplinary show is the brainchild of Wilmington stand-up comic (and host) Julia Desmond. This weekend's affair is headlined by Wilmington icon Louis the Rapper, and it also features the comedy stylings of Caleb Elliott, Andrew Gleason, Megan Cook, Wills Maxwell and Bridget Callahan. While you're there, check out the work on display upstairs by Wilmington artist Celia Donovan. 8 p.m., $7.

More: How Wilmington's hip-hop scene navigates 'love-hate relationship' with the city

Material Girls

At Thalian Hall: Touring show featuring tributes to the music of Madonna, Cher, Lady Gaga and Adele. 7:30 p.m. May 7, 910-632-2285.

Carolina Beach Street Arts Festival

At Carolina Beach Lake: Fifty-plus painters, potters, musicians, jewelers, dancers and more assemble for this festival featuring performing, visual and culinary arts. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 7. Free

Saturday Sunset

At the Marina Grill: Weekly live, outdoor music series features the Wilmington songwriter David Dixon, who performs a mix of rock, pop and blues as a solo artist, but gets a full-band sound thanks to his proficiency on the loop pedals. 5-7:30 p.m., free.

SUNDAY

Iron Front Comedy Show

At The Lookout at Iron Front: Monthly series hosted by Wilmington stand-up Ellie Coleman in one of downtown's coolest rooms. Features local favorite Wills Maxwell, Shane Browne and touring comic Caleb Elliott. 8 p.m. May 8, $15-$20.

ABBA Fab

At UNCW's Kenan Auditorium: ABBA tribute act brings its versions of the Swedish pop band's indelible hits to the stage. 7:30 p.m. May 8, $45-$55.

Contact John Staton at 910-343-2343 or John.Staton@StarNewsOnline.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 16 things to do in Wilmington, NC including concerts, comedy, and more