Declan Grogan: The Last Word
Declan Grogan Presents THE LAST WORD Review - Sit Down, Grab a Cocktail, and Enjoy!
TLDR: A project combining two of writer Declan Grogan’s passions, The Last Word is a table reading of his action-adventure screenplay accompanied by a flight of unique craft cocktails. The experience feels like we’re part of this group of friends gathered to have fun and be entertained with a good story.
The stage set for The Last Word
Are You Ready For An Adventure?
The Last Word starts with us audience members seated in one of iO’s black box theaters in front of a long table covered in a green table cloth, several copies of the script, and a bottle of green chartreuse sitting front and center. We’re introduced to the cast of this table read and they take their seats and open their binders. Each starts reading their lines and we start to get a sense of who each of them are playing, where we are, and what we’re about to experience from this movie screenplay.
But suddenly our host and narrator, Declan Grogan, stops the show. This would be a lot more fun with some lights and sound, right?, he says. We applaud and cheer in agreement. The house lights go out, the video projector whirls to life, and a pianist comes onstage to accompany the cast with some adventuring music. Suddenly, what seemed like it was going to be a “theatre of the mind” show has become accented by all these theatrical elements ready to bring the story to life in front of us.
The story of The Last Word follows your average everyman, Mike (played by James Cullinane), through his unexpected journey into the competitive and dangerous world of one of the most secret liqueurs, green chartreuse. He encounters capitalistic bureaucrats, the world's leading expert on chartreuse, monks, and even barbarians all through the wilderness in France.
As the read continues, our cast gets more and more into acting out the scenes. Colleen Grogan sits tall and proud in her chair like she herself is sitting on Joan, the leader of the barbarian’s throne. Rachel Thomas and Claire Glennon as Paula and Iota shoot lovey-dovey heart eyes at each other as they bring Mike into their hideout. Liam Mahon brings out different accents and mannerisms to distinguish each of the multiple characters he plays, each one completely different than the last. And when Spencer Gallagher is confronting Mike, he reaches across the table to grab Cullinane’s collar to make sure he knows he means business.
There’s comedy, drama, intrigue, suspense, and most importantly adventure all wrapped up into one movie script.
The cast of The Last Word
Passion Project Turned Table Read Turned Stage Show
For producer, writer, and host of the show, Declan Grogan, The Last Word started as a passion project and has grown into a full fledged show. As he welcomes us, he explains he wrote this screenplay and wanted help from his friends, promising them cocktails if they came over to do a reading together. Thus the format for this show was born. Accompanying each of the main acts of The Last Word are cocktail pairings meant to match the vibe of the place we’re in. Bright and refreshing. Warm and spiced. A twist on a daiquiri. And of course one with green chartreuse.
The passion for all parts of this project come alive both from the actors reading and acting out the show to the care and thought that went into the cocktail pairings. There’s also so many more twists and turns in this show experience that make The Last Word a delight from start to finish.
The cocktail pairing accompanying the table read
The After Party Thoughts
I could not have asked for a more fun way to spend a Friday night than seeing The Last Word. I did not expect a table read of a screenplay to be so exciting and entertaining. We were taken in by the story itself wondering if Mike is going to be able to complete his journey and also felt like we’re part of this group of friends gathered on a Friday night to hang out and have a good time.
Also, if you are planning on going, get the cocktail package. Grogan created all the recipes himself and they’re all unique, fit the setting of when it’s served during the show, and most importantly, absolutely delicious.
For those that love a themed show, cocktails, and action-adventure stories with a cast that is clearly passionate for their subject matter, The Last Word would be a great fit for you!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
The cast of The Last Word
When
Performing every last Friday of the month
Where
iO Theatre
1501 N Kingsbury St Ave.
Chicago, IL 60642
Runtime: 2hrs 30min, including intermissions
Tickets
$23.40+
Tickets can be purchased through the iO Theatre website
Photos
Courtesy of The Last Word production
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago
The script of The Last Word
CAST
Declan Grogan (Host)
James Cullinane (Mike)
Rachel Thomas (Paula)
Claire Glennon (Iota)
Spencer Gallagher (Wellington)
Colleen Grogan (Joan)
Liam Mahon (Simon)
CREATIVE
Declan Grogan (Writer / Creator / Producer)
James Cullinane (Producer)
Tristan Tanramos (Piano)
Dan Wilcop (Technical Director)
JJ Jury (Stage Manager)