Inventive, wildly entertaining, highly interactive, and unlike anything else you'll find in Chicago theater. The Last Word at iO Theater is essentially a staged reading on drugs—in the best possible way!
When you think of a staged reading, you probably picture actors sitting behind music stands, reading lines while exploring characters and relationships. The Last Word throws that expectation out the window. The cast is constantly in motion, bouncing around in their chairs, pantomiming action, and fully committing to every emotional beat, stage direction, and character choice. Combined with creative projections, lighting, and sound design, it becomes a surprisingly immersive theatrical experience. Before long, you almost forget you're watching a staged reading of an original screenplay. Instead, it feels like you've been invited to hang out with a group of hilarious, energetic friends who can't wait to let you in on their inside jokes.
That feeling of hanging out with friends isn't an accident. Writer and creator Declan Grogan originally wrote The Last Word as a screenplay and, unsure how to workshop it, invited friends over for elaborate cocktail-party read-throughs. Guests would arrive without knowing their roles, discover them only after opening their binders, and enjoy craft cocktails while reading the script aloud. What started as a fun way to get feedback evolved into a unique theater experience. After a sold-out debut at iO Theater in January 2026, the production became a monthly event while staying true to its delightfully chaotic origins.
Much like the classic cocktail that inspired its name, The Last Word is divided into four parts, each representing one of the drink's signature ingredients: gin, lime, maraschino liqueur, and Chartreuse. Every act is paired with its own specialty cocktail inspired by that ingredient, making the experience just as enjoyable for your taste buds as it is for your imagination. The cocktails are delicious and thoughtfully matched to the story unfolding before you. Getting the drink package is almost a no-brainer; it's the perfect date night: drinks and a show! Even better, the actors are drinking alongside you. By the end of the night, you've laughed together, maybe shed a tear together, and it genuinely feels like you've made seven new friends.
The cast does phenomenal work. Featuring Declan Grogan, James Cullinane, Rachel Thomas, Spencer Gallagher, Liam Mahon, Colleen Grogan, and Claire Glennon. Every actor commits completely, making bold, hilarious choices while never losing sight of the story. The catch? They only receive the pages featuring their own character once they're onstage. They don't know exactly who they're playing until they sit down, crack open their binder, and begin. The scripts are locked away after every performance, and at least one new performer joins each show never having seen the material before. The result is an exhilarating mix of spontaneity and skill. Despite the built-in unpredictability, every performance feels polished, sharp, and surprisingly seamless.
The show is also wonderfully interactive. Throughout the evening, Grogan steps outside the screenplay to introduce each cocktail, invite audience members into scenes, share personalized videos about the cast, and pull everyone deeper into the experience. Rather than simply watching the story unfold, I genuinely felt like I was part of the group.
What makes The Last Word so memorable isn't just its clever premise; it's the genuine sense of community it creates. It's a heartfelt celebration of storytelling, friendship, film, and mixology. You can tell this production is built around the things Grogan loves most, and that passion is infectious. By the end of the evening, the audience isn't just applauding a show, they're toasting an experience.
The Last Word runs approximately 2.5 hours and is performed on the last Friday of every month at iO Theater, 1501 N. Kingsbury St. Tickets are $20—or $50 with the drink package—and I'd strongly recommend splurging on the cocktails (just maybe don't drive yourself to the theater.) You can grab your tickets at thelastwordshow.com. The production is for audiences 21 and over and contains flashing lights, loud sounds, profanity, and depictions of violence.
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