Escape to Margaritaville
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Cititour.com Review
With spring taking its sweet time to arrive in New York City, who could argue with a fun-in-the-sun getaway? And while the new jukebox musical "Escape to Margaritaville" - built around the songs of the legendary Jimmy Buffett - may not be quite as exhilarating as an actual escape to your favorite island, it does a surprisingly good job at elevating your mood (and your serotonin levels) for two-and-half-hours
Much of the credit belongs to Tony Award-winning director Christopher Ashley, who stages the proceedings with enough verve that they go down as smoothly as a certain frozen drink; a truly appealing cast; and a self-aware, modestly involving book by Greg Garcia and Mike O'Malley that works overtime to put on stage everything from salt shakers to cheeseburgers to tattoos (all items mentioned in Buffet's lyrics).
As for the show's raison d'etre, the use of Buffet's catalogue - a compendium of "drunken Caribbean rock n' roll" he's penned over a nearly 50-year period - let me say this: If you're a "parrothead" (aka a true Buffett fan), you'll be in paradise; if Sondheim or Schubert is your thing, you may want to skip this show; and the rest of us will find the score to be consistently pleasant, occasionally memorable, but rather repetitive.
Still, if you're in the latter camp, you might even know more of the songs than you realize. While pretty much everyone is familiar with his megahit "Margaritaville," such other ditties as "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes," "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" and "Son of a Son of a Sailor" may already be steeped in your consciousness.
To fit in all of those tunes, and close to two dozen more, Garcia and O'Malley have concocted a serviceable tale set in the tropical Margaritaville Hotel (the simple set is by Walt Spangler). It's run by the sassy Marley (a slightly underused but welcome Rema Webb), who employs singer Tully (the invaluable Paul Alexander Nolan, boasting, in no order of importance, a killer body, a superb singing voice, and an abundance of charm) and good-hearted bartender Brick (sweetly portrayed by Eric Petersen) to entertain her ever-changing roster of guests (colorfully costumed by Paul Tazewell).
The men's worlds are turned upside down by two major events. First, there's the arrival of slightly intense environment scientist Rachel (the very fine Allison Luff) who quickly creates fireworks-level sparks with Tully, and best friend Tammy (the always excellent Lisa Howard), who is already having second thoughts about her impending wedding to the odious Chadd (Ian Michael Stewart), even before meeting Brick, her obvious soulmate.
The second event - and stop me if you've seen this another Broadway musical this season - is the unexpected explosion of the island's volcano after the ladies have left, which forces Tully, Brick and Marley to rely on the piloting skills of one-eyed rascal J.D. (a funny Don Sparks) to get them safely to the women's hometown of Cincinnati. While there, only one romantic coupling goes as planned (at least initially) and Tully's musical talents are discovered by local agent Ted (the wonderful Andre Ward, who also doubles delightfully as hotel jack-of-all trades Jamal.)
I do wish the show had jettisoned a few of Buffet's songs in favor of letting choreographer Kelly Devine and her talented ensemble shine. Yes, they do get to move nimbly through some numbers, and she's created a fun tap-and-Rockette style fantasy number for Brick and company, but they seem deserving of more concentrated stage time.
Ultimately, I have no idea if "Escape to Margaritaville" will run as long as "Mamma Mia" or fade as quickly as "Good Vibrations." That decision is up, in large part, to Buffet's loyal fans as well as a bit of love and luck!
By Brian Scott Lipton
Visit the Site
http://escapetomargaritavillemusical.com
Cast
Paul Alexander Nolan, Alison Luff, Lisa Howard, Eric Petersen, Don Sparks, Andre Ward, Rema Webb
Open/Close Dates
Opening 3/15/2018
Closing 11/18/2018
Preview Open/ Preview Close Dates
Preview Opening 2/16/2018
Closing Open-ended
Box Office
877-250-2929
Theatre Info
Marquis Theatre
1535 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
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