Photo by Brett Beiner
“Livin’ for the weekend. Jump right off the deep end, with just enough money to buy… a license to chill!”
So begins Music Theater Works’ production of Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville, a jukebox musical with a Hallmark movie heart set on a Caribbean island with a looming “Volcano” near “One Particular Harbor” at a rundown-but-still-fun hotel where it’s always “Five O’Clock Somewhere,” the music and “Boat Drinks” flow, and life is as delicious as a “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”
I’m not usually one to claim there are only two kinds of people, but in this case, I think it’s true. There are those who hear Escape to Margaritaville and would rather avoid being “wasted away again,” and those who start “searching for” their “lost shaker of salt.” (salt, salt, salt!) Yet I can say, without a doubt, this show has something for everyone. And it’s not complicated: it’s joy.
The show is so damn much fun.
Escape to Margaritaville is pure, unquestionable, tropical, sweet, love-filled, lyrically intoxicating joy. This musical romantic comedy takes us from Cincinnati (yes, from “Fins”, the Buffett song references in the musical and this review don’t stop) to Volcano Island, back to Cincinnati, and back to Volcano Island. Along the way, there are moments of delight, moments of laughter, moments that are just plain dumb, and moments that touch the heart. And through every twist and turn, every song and every scene, there’s joy.
Photo by Brett Beiner
Here’s the Hallmark Channel love story in a coconutshell… with a little umbrella. Tully is a part-time bartender with a guitar, plenty of charm, and no plan. He’s found his own little slice of paradise on Volcano Island. Rachel, a career-driven, bachelorette-weekend-planning tourist from Cincinnati, arrives with her best friend, Tammy, for one last vacation together before Tammy’s impending mistake of a wedding. Rachel has little room for romance, and even less for Tully’s laid-back approach to life. But between sun-soaked days, Tully’s strumming Buffett tunes, and a few volcanic twists, the two discover that love finds a way in. And they’re left with the Buffettesque question: Is paradise a place you escape to or a life you choose to live, whether you’re in Cincinnati or Margaritaville?
In her program note, director/choreographer Brenda Didier tells the story of how she came to embrace her inner Parrothead and focus on the joy Jimmy Buffett brought to thousands of fans over his decades of songwriting. Under her skillful direction, the focus on fun is clear, and it works. “Expanding the view of the captain and crew,” Didier’s approach turbocharges an exceptional cast, giving its members room to explore and revel in the moments that work.
Photo by Brett Beiner
Brian Acker’s Tully is fantastic. Frankly, he’s a much better singer than Jimmy, with plenty of Buffett-style charisma to spare. Kate McQuillan’s Rachel is driven and warm, focused and funny, sharp and tender, and she has a knockout voice. Khaki Pixley is hilarious and wonderful as Tammy, a kind, fun-loving soul just begging to be talked out of the worst mistake of her life. And Chase Grabowski is a flat-out wonderful, absolutely hysterical, big-hearted showstopper as Brick, the bartender who starts as Tully’s sidekick, becomes Tammy’s flirtation, and ends up her love interest and hubby.
Photo by Brett Beiner
The rest of the ensemble is every bit as stellar. Matt Frye plays Chad, Tammy’s villain fiancé to a T. Tamara Batiest and Jacob Merschel bring abundant talent, gorgeous voices, and island joy to Marley, the Margaritaville resort owner, and Jamal, the busboy and Marley’s right-hand man. And in a role reminiscent of the one Jimmy Buffett himself might have played late in life, looking back on a brilliant songwriting career, Brian James’s J.D. weaves a beautiful story, highlighted by “He Went to Paris.”
Bob Knuth’s multidimensional Margaritaville Hotel set could have been lifted straight from a Jimmy Buffett album cover, serving double duty as a ramshackle island resort and a corner of Cincinnati. It’s a clever, colorful world that gives the story room to unfold while keeping us firmly planted in Buffett’s island paradise. Lighting designer Denise Karczewski gets the atmosphere just right, capturing the tropical island, erupting volcano, and distinctly Midwestern basement-bar vibe, complete with the glow of a neon beer sign. Clare McKellaston’s bright, colorful costume design fits right in, adding island style to a show that knows just what kind of party it wants to throw.
And the orchestra, led by music director Linda Madonia, brings Jimmy Buffett’s music to life with big, beautiful energy and tons of fun. Buffett’s songs are the heartbeat and his lyrics the story of the musical, and the musicians give them all the life, warmth, and infectious spirit they need.
Photo by Brett Beiner
I’m not sure I’m a Parrothead just yet. That level of fandom comes after you’ve made the journey from Jimmy Buffett albums to cassettes to CDs to streaming, and then back to collector vinyl. It’s the reward for decades of concerts spent singing along to the “Songs You Know By Heart” with a crowd of people in Hawaiian shirts. But after Friday’s opening at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, I’m a whole lot closer to fully embracing “that frozen concoction that helps me hang on.”
So one last lyric, one more time. In the immortal words of Jimmy Buffett, summing up life and, it turns out, this theatrical review… “Drink it up, this one’s for you. It’s been a lovely cruise.”
Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville is pure joy. It’s 100% wonderful. Take this trip, whether you need a vacation or not.
Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville runs through November 1 at The North Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 N. Skokie Boulevard, in Skokie. For tickets and info visit North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. For more Chicago reviews or show information, see chicagoonstage.com or theatreinchicago.com.