“Has the good-natured potential of a project still in the workshop stage...In essence, this is just the latest iteration of the 'motley crew of lovable misfits overcomes obstacles on its way to nationals' trope...Still, the magpie score amusingly flits around various pop styles, as if Mr. Sullivan was fiddling with the dial on a vintage AM radio. With more muscular arrangements and a crisper sound design, he might well be onto something.”
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"Desperate to tell you that you're having a good time, yet it seems to work just as hard to be off-putting...Smart choices and trackable logic do not abound here; the gang has obstacles at just the right time, and turnarounds occur because otherwise nothing would happen at all…What does it have going for it? A killer last number that, for the only time in the evening, drops all pretense and just embraces the unbridled enthusiasm that musical theatre conjures better than almost anything else."
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"A delightful new musical with a great deal to offer. Mr. Sullivan and his creative team have carefully thought through a musical that features an outstanding cast, a fully developed story with a clear dramatic arc, and an engaging theme that readily connects to the audience...Michael Bello directs with a careful and sensitive hand throughout...Raises rich enduring questions about loyalty, letting go of the past, new beginnings, and the importance of friendship.”
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"It’s fun! But do we really care about this story? Likely not. 'The Last Word' is a colorful musical that certainly knows what it is. The book though, can use some cleaning up...Michael Bellow had a strong vision for his creative team and his actors. His direction was precise, for the most part. He allowed the story, however convoluted it may be, to shine through…The choreography was exceptional...'The Last Word' had some mighty high highs and some mighty low lows."
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"'The Last Word' manages to evoke the heart of the 1970s without overdoing it. It also successfully captures the fun and energy of a road trip narrative, a challenge for live theater. The music and dancing is a mixed bag, sometimes innovative and other times feeling simplistic and dated...What the cast and crew have managed to achieve in the time given is remarkable. This isn't just a musical that will make you smile; it will leave you wondering what friendship really means."
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