Everyone has something to say at The Last Word at iO Theater

Chartreuse is a storied, French alpine liqueur formulated from a secret recipe of 130 herbs, plants, and flowers.  It has been produced continuously since 1605 by the Carthusian monks of the Grande Chartreuse monastery in the Chartreuse Mountains. It’s said only two monks alive know the recipe at any given time, but most of the monks of the order have taken a vow of silence, so I suppose that bit can’t be verified. I happen to also know that for roughly 1000 euros you can join them at a monastery, work in the garden, and silently eat soup in your rooms for a week. Declan Grogan has probably done the week with the soup, but happily for us, he also learned a bunch about his favorite liquor and decided to write a story featuring it.

For the uninitiated, a Table Read is when a script is read aloud by actors, sometimes in front of a small audience, and often while the script is still being workshopped. It is an effective way to work out any weakness in the story, hear the dialogue out loud, and get feedback from potential collaborators and audiences. Initially, Grogan began inviting friends over to read it aloud and enticed them to spend an evening reading by providing fancy cocktails. Three years later, those boozy nights have morphed into a live table read at iO Theater, enhanced with video clips, mini-lessons on cocktails and a live soundtrack.

The actors are seated around a table, and there is no rehearsal, so they are nearly as new to the script as the audience.

The night is broken up into four acts:

Act I – Light, Refreshing, Bright

Act II – Citrus, Wild, Sweet with a Hint of Spice

Act III – Bold, Boozy, Cherry with a Bitter Finish

Act IV – Unlike Anything You’ve Ever Had Before

It follows the story of Michael, a man seeking greatness, after a life he feels has been anything but. On a mission to save himself in France, a series of mysterious events leads him on an adventure to protect the top-secret recipe for chartreuse. He meets several other characters and groups who are DEEPLY invested in chartreuse along the way and becomes involved in a centuries-old mission in the process. Part of the fun of this night is the surprise, so I won’t give away too much of the script.

The cast is a collection of comedians and actors who are all personal friends of Grogan. Everyone is clearly having a blast, creating a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere, and they’re encouraged to act-out the scenes and add their own spin on the characters and action, which adds an element of improv and surprise even for Grogan and co-producer James Cullinane. Many of the actors had read the script before at other performances, but actress Emma Knott was as new to the script as the audience. She dove in and provided another layer of commentary as she reacted in real time to the events going on in the story and to her character: an obsessed academic with a penchant for booby traps. James Cullinane anchors the show as Michael, a man on a mission with a great head of hair. The rest of the actors play multiple roles around him. Liam Mahon milks several glorious death scenes for all they’re worth, does a wicked effeminate European Bad Guy and even managed to throw in a stunt. Colleen Grogan makes an excellent Barbarian Queen (just go with it), Rachel Thomas plays Paula, a midwestern woman on a strange adventure, with an easy warmth. Spencer Gallagher embraces his role as an American Pyscho down to the slicked back hair that slowly escapes it’s bounds as he descends into single minded madness.  An audience member or two is also called on to participate, adding just a little more chaos and unexpected comedy. The story is full of twists and turns and escalates in its intensity and insanity with each cocktail served. It’s a testament to Grogan, however, that amidst all the ridiculousness, there is an underlying reminder that life is meant to be lived, and it really is the friends you make along the way.

If you are looking for a genuinely good time and a few surprises in a room that feels like it’s filled with your friends, don’t look any further. Just be sure to eat first.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Alina C. Hevia

The Last Word is at the iO Theater, 1501 N. Kingsbury St. Catch it on Friday, July 31 and Friday, August 28 at 7 p.m. Ticket prices are $50 for general admission with the drink package, which includes four specialty cocktails and $20 for general admission tickets without the cocktail experience. Tickets are available at thelastwordshow.com. 

The running time is 2 hours and 30 minutes including an intermission.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.

Water for Elephants — A Spectacular Blend of Broadway Magic and Circus Wonder

Few Broadway musicals in recent years have captured the sense of wonder and imagination quite like Water for Elephants. Based on Sara Gruen’s bestselling 2006 novel, the musical features a book by Rick Elice and an original folk-inspired score by PigPen Theatre Co. After premiering at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre in 2023, the production made its Broadway debut at the Imperial Theatre in 2024, earning widespread attention for its breathtaking visual storytelling, innovative stagecraft, and emotional heart.

At its core, Water for Elephants tells the story of Jacob Jankowski, a young veterinary student whose life is upended during the Great Depression. Finding himself aboard a struggling traveling circus, Jacob discovers friendship, purpose, and unexpected love in the form of star performer Marlena. While the story itself is compelling, what truly sets this musical apart is the extraordinary way it is brought to life on stage.

The set design is nothing short of astonishing. Rather than relying on elaborate realism, the production embraces theatrical imagination, transforming the stage into a constantly shifting circus world through moving platforms, inventive projections, lighting effects, and scenic elements that evoke train cars, big tops, and carnival spectacle. The result is a production that feels simultaneously intimate and epic, drawing audiences directly into the Benzini Brothers circus.

One of the show’s greatest achievements is its integration of actual circus performers and acrobats into the storytelling. Aerial artists soar above the audience, acrobats execute jaw-dropping stunts, such as three people standing on each other’s shoulders, and ensemble members perform feats of strength and agility that blur the line between Broadway musical and contemporary circus. These sequences are not merely visual distractions; they become essential components of the narrative, helping convey the excitement, danger, and beauty of circus life. The choreography and circus design work together seamlessly, creating moments that regularly inspire gasps and applause from the audience, highlighting the performers’ extremely impressive aerial and gymnastic skills.

Equally impressive are the production’s puppet animals. Bringing elephants, horses, lions, and other circus creatures to life on stage is no easy task, yet the puppetry achieves a remarkable level of realism and emotional connection. Rather than attempting literal reproduction, the designers create expressive, lifelike animal representations that feel magical and theatrical at the same time. The animals become characters in their own right, including the elephant Rosie, who charmingly only understands Polish commands, helping establish the unique bond between humans and animals that lies at the heart of the story, and the way the animals are brought to life is something I have never personally seen in other productions, causing this to stand out as one of the musical’s strongest features.

Musically, the score combines Americana, folk, and roots-inspired sounds that perfectly complement the Depression-era setting. Among the standout numbers is Marlena’s beautiful solo “Easy,” a heartfelt and emotionally revealing song that showcases her vulnerability and strength. The energetic “The Lion Has Got No Teeth” provides one of the show’s most entertaining ensemble moments, full of tension, humor, and dramatic momentum. Meanwhile, “Zostán” emerges as one of the musical’s most moving pieces, creating an atmosphere of longing, memory, and belonging that resonates long after the curtain falls. These songs, along with numbers such as “Anywhere/Another Train,” “Silver Stars,” and “Wild,” help establish a distinctive musical identity that feels both contemporary and timeless.

The performances are equally strong. Zachary Keller delivers a compelling and heartfelt portrayal of Jacob, capturing both the character’s youthful uncertainty and growing confidence as he finds his place within the circus family. Keller brings warmth, sincerity, and emotional depth to the role, making Jacob’s journey deeply engaging from beginning to end.

Opposite him, Helen Krushinski shines as Marlena. Her performance balances grace, resilience, and vulnerability, while her vocal work is particularly stunning in the show’s more emotional musical moments. Krushinski’s Marlena is far more than a romantic lead; she is a fully realized woman struggling to maintain hope and dignity under difficult circumstances. Together, Keller and Krushinski create a believable and touching chemistry that anchors the production’s emotional center.

What makes Water for Elephants so memorable is its ability to merge spectacle with genuine emotion. The dazzling circus acts, stunning visuals, inventive puppetry, and powerful musical numbers never overshadow the human story at its core. Instead, every artistic element works together to reinforce themes of resilience, chosen family, love, and second chances.

In the end, Water for Elephants is a celebration of what live theater can accomplish when imagination is given free rein. It is visually breathtaking, musically engaging, and emotionally rewarding—a production that transports audiences into another world while reminding them of the enduring power of hope and connection. For theater lovers, circus enthusiasts, and anyone seeking an unforgettable Broadway experience, Water for Elephants is a remarkable ride well worth taking. This is a must see performance that is perfectly staged and brought to life at Madison’s Overture Center.

Details —

Reviewed by Emilie Giardina

5/5 stars

Location: Overture Center for The Arts

201 State Street, Madison WI 53703

Dates: June 16-21, 2026

Tickets available though Box Office (608-258-4141) or through website.