Escape to Margaritaville

Escape to Margaritaville is playing at the Marquis Theatre located at 210 West 46th Street. It runs two hours and fifteen minutes with one intermission. It is an open ended run.

Jimmy Buffett wrote the music and lyrics. He is an American musician, songwriter, author, actor and businessman. Jimmy is best known for his music with his Coral Reefer Band.

The musical played in San Diego, New Orleans and Chicago before coming to Broadway.

Christopher Ashley is the director. He won a Tony Award in 2017 for Come From Away. Christopher was nominated in 2000 for a Tony Award for The Rocky Horror Show.

Kelly Devine is the choreographer. She was nominated for a Tony Award for Come From Away (2017).

Paul Tazewell is the costume designer. He won two Tony Awards for Hamilton (2016) and The Color Purple (2006) and was nominated for four Tony Awards for Street Car Named Desire (2012), Memphis (2010), In the Heights (2008) and Bring in’ Da Noise, Bring in’ Da Funk (1996).

The setting is the present time, The Caribbean and Ohio.

Tully (Paul Alexander Nolan) is a singer in the resort lounge. It seems he has relationships with female guests who are staying a week. They would like to keep in touch but he brushes them off in a nice way. Like saying the boat is about to leave the island and they will miss it. Tully reminds his friend Brick (Eric Peterson) that if he sees the women trying to continue the relationship to call out the ferry is leaving. Brick works behind the bar.

Back in Ohio Rachael (Alison Luff) and her friend Tammy (Lisa Howard) are packing to go to the Caribbean. Tammy is getting married in a week. Rachael is trying to convince her that her finance is a creep. But Tammy says she loves him so Rachael backs off.

On the island Rachael makes a comment to the owner of the resort Marley (Rema Webb) that the place is not what it is advertised to be. She asks about the massages. Jamal (Andre Ward) does the massages, he walks by with his hand in a cast. He comments that he can do the massage with his feet.

Sitting at the bar is JD (Dan Sparks) drinking. JD is a regular at the bar. Marley has hidden his plane. She is afraid he might crash it. He tells every one he has a hidden treasure on the island.

Rachael wants to get soil by the volcano. Its’ for a project she is doing.

Tully, Rachael, Brick and Tammy all go with her to the volcano site.

During the week Tully and Rachael become intimate. Tammy wants to with Brick but holds out.

When Rachael is about to leave, Tully is not his usual self. He has fallen for her and wants her to stay. She says no she has things she wants to accomplish in the states.

The volcano erupts after they leave. JD, Marley, Tully and Brick miss the boat that leaves with the people on the island. Marley tells JD where his plane is and they leave the island heading for Ohio.

They arrive on the eve of Tammy’s wedding. They are having a party at the local bar. Of course the island people go into the bar. What happens, well what I can say except to go this incredible musical.

It’s funny, enjoyable, well written, good cast and great set musical.

The cast is outstanding .Paul Alexander Nolan has a beautiful voice. He is enjoyable to watch. The rest of the cast shines, each does a remarkable job. This is the first time I didn’t know who to watch the main characters or the ensemble. They were wonderful especially Mike Millan as Jesus. He was awesome.

Review by Rozanna Radakovich.

Photos by Annazor.

To read a candid interview with the cast, scroll to the left for photos. Click on photos for this and other shows.