The Last Ship Reviews

Anonymous from Chicago, Illinois

COMPELLING , SOULFUL, BEAUTIFUL STORY OF LIFE!

An experience you should not miss! A universal story . The production is flawless; the lyrics, dialog, staging are brilliant. This is theatre at its highest level .

Christine Borys from Peoria, Illinois

HELPING WTTW IN A MOST ENJOYABLE EVENING

I first heard Sting with other musicians on public television last fall and was moved to donate to the station , as well as getting an opportunity to see this wonderful production. The music and lyrics make one feel like they are your own words. There is the Sting trademark in the music and cadence that is definitely English. We had a delicious bowl of beet soup at the lovely Russian Tea Room before finding the theatre experience very rewarding. Everyone was content and the seating was great. It was really special to see Sting working behind the scenes with the sound/lighting crew. He smiled and went on with the business on hand. I was delighted to be a part of this debut in such an historical theatre. Thanks -WTTW / Bravo -Sting

David E. from Chicago, Illinois and happy to be here

YOU WILL BE S-O-O-O SORRY THAT YOU MISSED IT!!

This incredible show had the audience on its feet and shouting with joy at the final curtain. One memorable song follows another, actors that look like real people but sing like angels; skillful direction, masterful sets. and an intelligent book. When you just can't stand another musical based on old rock and roll songs or old Disney movies and you want to say "Go ahead, astonish me!" you will be astonished by "The Last Ship."

Emma from Chicago, Illinois

THE LAST SHIP, CHICAGO, JUNE 10TH, 2014

Best musical ever! A very emotional tale, filled with excellent music composed by Sting that will move you to tears. You will want to go back to it.

Shay from Chicago, Illinois

ONE OF THE BEST MUSICALS I

I was really impressed by this musical. I didn't think it was going to be that great, but the whole time I was glued to my seat. It was great music and a beautiful performance. I am only 16 so I didn't really know who Sting was, but I am so glad I saw it. I'm hoping to see it one more time before the end of the season.

C Mitchell from Chicago, Illinois

NOT TO BE MISSED!

Saw "The Last Ship" June 24. Our seats were Mezz Sec C Row F. We had difficulty viewing the front part of the stage due to persons directly in front of us, seats aren't staggered very well so if you have a tall person in front of you sightlines are hampered. However, a lot of action takes place further back on stage and on risers so much isn't missed. Initially it was difficult to understand some of the lines due to accents(?) but by the 2nd act I was able to follow without issue. Sting's music and lyrics were wonderful, you hear his phrasing throughout many of the songs. Several actors sing in his key so it sounds like his voice! Michael Esper (Gideon) and Jimmy Nail (Jackie) were terrific! All cast members have strong beautiful vocals, dance numbers were enjoyable due to the choreography allowing the cast of ship builders to move like strong working men, not ballet stars. Fred Applegate (Father O'Brien) is a gem and has some of the best comedic lines. Music is haunting, sets A+!

Anonymous from Chicago, Illinois

TRANSPORTS TO ANOTHER TIME AND PLACE. SORRY I HAD TO RETURN.

What a delightful show. The staging was tremendous. The music was lovely. And the story lines were wonderful. No it is not the next "Wicked" but transported me in the way Les Miz did. 25 years ago. There's love, beauty, camaraderie and triumph. What more do you need. And the music, llyrics and sentiment are Sting. We can all benefit from a night with The Last Ship. I was at opening night (yes, I bought the tickets 4 months ago) and I want to go again soon.

Toni H from Chicago, Illinois

NOT A SHOUTY MUSICAL

I'm not a big fan of musicals because I don't like people spontaneously bursting into song and shouting the songs at that. The Last Ship however, I found a delight. Being from the place in England where it is based, the play probably had a lot more meaning for me than for many audience members. However, the simple plot line together with beautiful songs (both lyrics and music), a strong cast and fine singers, should make this everyone's cup of tea.

Coffeecup1390 from Chicago, Illinois

SUGGESTION: SCENE REWRITE

This musical could go to Broadway "as is". The staging is terrific. The choreography is action-packed and partners with the very clever lyrics and inspired music. The actors could not work any harder or be any better. They get 5 stars. Overall, I give this show 4.5. What would get the show a 5? Change one scene. The somber 'wake' scene in the bar is a jolt. In keeping with his character, the priest's 'wake' deserves an Irish funeral filled with laughter/stories---helping transition the audience from an other-world launch to the real-world launch. .

BHutchins from Chicago, Illinois

BETTER THAN EXPECTED

Really a great theater show. So much better than we had expected. The story , actors and music were all great. Highly recommended.

Diane S from Chicago, Illinois

MOVING

Great singing by female stars. Wonderful lighting and staging. Enjoyed male leads and ensemble!!! Engaging, moving story line. Evolution industry and societies must undergo to survive.

Sandy from Chicago, Illinois

THE LAST SHIP: SEAWORTHY BUT FOR ONE (SMALL) LAST DETAIL!

Gorgeous, tuneful, compelling musical-- classically Broadway. Short on spectacle, long on heart, music and character. Only flaw is that Gideon, the putative protagonist, is not very likable; we were rooting for his romantic rival Arthur. This can be corrected either by making him regret his initial departure, making it at first more justifiable (and his father less sympathetic) or the motivation for his return more believable--or by shifting the focus to Meg, whose history with the town is longer and unbroken, and who has the two central emotional choices to make. Her character must act, while Gideon, Arthur and her son react. Her choices rule the plot’s ultimate direction. I am anxious to see this in NYC both in previews and once it formally opens to see what changes if any have been made. And I urge Sting to keep his established “When We Dance” in the score, as it’s beautiful, haunting & expository. Ate at the bar & grill across the street....meh.

Charles Robinson from Chicago, Illinois

UNIVERSAL STORY WELL TOLD

I am not a fan of musicals, but had to see The Last Ship after it previewed on PBS. It was definitely worth the price of admission. With a few changes, the play could be about Gary, In. or Detroit. A universal story of workers in a basic industry being displaced, losing their way of life ( oftentimes multi-generational). Jimmy Nail is a treasure, and Fred Applegate's character is memorable. Saw the final performance in Chicago on July 13. I would heartily recommend seeing this play to New Yorkers.

Kristi L. from Chicago, Illinois

THE MUSIC MAKES IT!

Really liked the music -- very "Sting" and I love his music. I felt the story was a bit predictable -- story didn't really capture me. Liked second act better than first. HATE the seating in this theatre. We were in 2nd row dress circle and could not see the stage at all. Once the play started everyone spread out and looked for a seat where they could actually see. Dress circle was about half full so we had plenty of space. This happened to me at Book of Mormon too. The spacing to be able to see around the people in front of you is the absolute worst in this theater.

Anonymous from Chicago, Illinois

GOOD MUSIC BUT FALLS SHORT.

Sting fans will enjoy the music but the story falls short. Slow paced and does not connect with the audience. Cast does well with what they are given.

Shirley from Chicago, Illinois

NEEDS TO FIX A FEW THINGS

The first act is slow, and confusing. We had a lot of discussion at intermission about this. As written, a bunch of people are going to build a ship with no money, no plans, and no goal once this ship is built. At least give us a character who holds up a plan he drew and wants to see actually be built. And another character who has an idea of what they will do with the ship. Are all the parts of this ship (with no schematic) just laying around? The characters are very and yelling constantly. The "drama" is high, I guess, but feels forced. The central love story concerns a guy who hooks up with a girl, who gets pregnant. They are 15, and he takes off to explore the world. Fifteen years later he returns to find he has a son, and says he wants the woman back and loves her oh so much. But fifteen years with no phone call, no postcard, no inquiry to friends about her? If you want us to believe this was more than a hookup, than we need a scene when he leaves at 15 that at least conveys he

Shirley from Chicago, Illinois

PART 2

...that he is in love, is torn, but has to go because his situation is too horrible. Some moving speech is needed. After Act 1, you are just seeing this guy as some jerk. I was fearing the girl would actually want to be with him. Act 2 tries to at least make us believe he really had a crush on her in high school, but it is too little, too late. Late in the play, Gideon says his father used to hit him. I need that upfront. The father hit him, I guess, but it was more like a slap, and he just seemed like a brat running away. We need a like-able kid, who is so abused he leaves the girl he loves just to escape . Then I will care about whether they will or won't get back together. On the bright side, the actors are solid and talented. The music is pure Sting. The priest is especially outstanding. The scene with father and son in a jail cell was well done.

Ben from Longwood, FL

NOT HORRIBLE...BUT NEEDS CONSIDERABLE WORK.

Let's start with the good stuff. The music is beautiful...think "Billy Elliot" meets "Once"...with chord progressions and syncopation that make it immediately recognizable as Sting's handiwork. Well performed and well sung. Nice sets. "Shipyard" is an outstanding number. But the book is a bit of a mess. Two intertwining stories and neither one is particularly compelling. The love triangle is occasionally cringe-worthy, and the main character is not particularly likeable. The other story is something of a socialist parable, and while such plays may have worked when Bertold Brecht composed them in early 20th century Europe, it's not something that's going to connect to a modern American audience...even to a left-wing moonbat like myself. I found myself sympathizing with the arguments of the bourgeois managers, which I'm sure was not the playwright's intent. I wanted to like this more than I actually did. Hope the team can bring it together before the Broadway premiere.

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