The Coastal Carolina University Second Stage Series will present the musical "The Last Five Years," which opens Thursday, Jan. 18 at the Edwards Black Box Theater and continues through Sunday, Jan. 21.

Coastal's first ever student-directed musical will be performed at 7:30 p.m. from Thursday through Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21.

Written by Tony award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, "The Last Five Years" chronicles a young couple's romance in a unique way. Her story starts at the end of their relationship, and his begins on the day that they met. The only time their stories coincide and the two characters share the stage is at their wedding, which occurs at the middle of the show.

The play will be produced, directed, designed and performed by Coastal students. Jonah Bowles, a senior musical theater major of Myrtle Beach, is directing the play. Cast members include Shannon Cook, a senior musical theater major of Conway, and Bryan Robinson, a junior musical theater major of Simpsonville.

The play is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. The Black Box Theater is located in the Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts building. Tickets for the performance may be picked up from Wheelwright Box Office Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., starting Jan. 2. For more information call 349-2502.