Jono Freebairn stars with Jordin Moore in the musical The Last Five Years in Hamilton.
Te Kūiti talent Jono Freebairn takes centre stage in the musical The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown, at Hamilton’s Riverlea Theatre in Hamilton.
Known for his versatile performances across Waikato and the Bay of Plenty, Freebairn has the role of Jamie in this emotionally charged production.
The Last Five Years, which runs to August 17, explores the rise and fall of a relationship through a series of songs.
Freebairn began his theatre journey in Te Kūiti and has gone on to entertain audiences throughout the middle North Island with performances in numerous productions.
“Getting the role in the Last Five Years, is the biggest role I’ve had in community theatre performance in a musical especially the last 10 years,” he said.
Jono who is a restaurant manager in his day job, said the previous comparable role was the dentist in the Little Shop of Horrors in 2014.
“This is what I’ve always wanted to do.”
Hamilton has a vibrant theatre and musical theatre scene with several production houses regularly producing live theatre.
“It’s only going to keep expanding especially now with things like the Wintec performing arts degree that they have, with very accomplished tutors from around the country who have done professional theatre – which is drawing more people to Hamilton to perform and to upskill as well,” Freebairn said.
Cambridge resident Kerry Blakeney-Williams is the show photographer, and stage manager is another Cambridge resident Tracey Riddell.
The Last Five Years will be performed at Riverlea Theatre at the South end of Hamilton in from 3rd to 17th August. Tickets are available now at iticket.co.nz.
