Calling all Jimmy Buffett Parrot Heads! Grab your straw hats, suntan lotion, flip-flops, Bermuda shorts and flowered shirts and “Escape to Margaritaville,” right here in La Jolla. The highly-successful, world premiere musical, now showing through July 9 at the La Jolla Playhouse, is truly a delightful dance and song tribute to Jimmy Buffett, one of America’s iconic singer-songwriters. Decades in the making (Buffett’s career spans 50-years), “Escape to Margaritaville” weaves classic sing-a-longs through a tapestry of lovable characters searching for companionship. And to no one’s surprise, a tropical island oasis, “where the sun is hot, the ocean is warm and the drinks are chilled,” serves as its backdrop. Margaritaville, the town hub that just so happens to be the hotel bar, showcases itself as the perfect venue for connecting the overworked and underpaid, as well as a haven for the city folk leaving the city behind. Along with frosted cocktails, Margaritaville features Tully, its amiable musician and lady charmer. Until, that is, he meets Rachel, a bright, beautiful, career-minded geologist on a bachelorette vacation with her best friend, Tammy. The audience is treated to the intended becoming everything but what actually takes place. And yes, the “Volcano Blows!”
“Escape to Margaritaville” is a love story replete with twists and turns, while fan-favorite Buffett songs are beautifully intertwined to tell its tale. Legendary sing-a-longs include “Fins,” “Son of a Sailor,” “Coconut Telegraph,” “Changes in Latitudes/Changes in Attitudes,” “Margaritaville,” “Volcano,” “Grapefruit, Juicy Fruit,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and “Come Monday.” Buffett also wrote three new songs that seamlessly connect the storyline. Theatergoers will not be disappointed with “Escape to Margaritaville.” While everyone knows that Buffett music incites joy – summer pleasures, the tides of bliss, and thirst-quenching tropical drinks – how many are aware of the blueprint of Buffett’s entrepreneurial success? Now sporting 70 years of age, Buffett released his first album, “Down To Earth” in 1970. His best -selling studio album, “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” was released in 1977, one among nearly 30. Buffett is also a best-selling author, touting three publications, “Tales from Margaritaville,” “Where Is Joe Pirate,” and “A Pirate Looks At Fifty.” Buffett also owns a chain of restaurants, Margaritaville Café, as well as the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort Hotel and the Latitude Margaritaville Retirement Community. Authors and playwrights Greg Garcia and Mike O’Malley, who wrote the book and play, collaborated with the Mississippi native to complete the musical. Escape to Margaritaville is directed by La Jolla Playhouses’ artistic director, and Tony Award-winner, Christopher Ashley. The creative team also includes choreographer, Kelly Devine, scenic designer Walt Spangler, costume designer Paul Tazewell, lighting designer Howell Binkley, sound designer Brian Ronan and Christopher Jahnke as music supervisor. The main cast of characters include Paul Alexander Nolan as Tully, Alison Luff as Rachel, Lisa Howard as Tammy, Charlie Pollock as Brick, Don Sparks as J.D, Andre Ward as Jamal, and Rema Webb as Marley. Ensemble members include Matt Allen, Sara Andreas, Katie Banville, Hanz Enyeart, Marjorie Failoni, Samantha Farrow, Keely Hutton, Justin Keats, Mike Millan, Justin Mortelliti, Ian Paget, Sharone Sayegh, Alex Michael Stoll and Jena VanElslander. The ensemble also features three UC San Diego M.F.A students, Andrew Gallop, Volen Illiev and Mo Rodvanich. Ashley recent said, “Jimmy Buffett’s iconic music and lifestyle have embedded themselves in the nation’s cultural consciousness and now this extraordinary group of artists is exhilarated to bring Margaritaville to San Diego.”
According to Ashley, cast and crew members worked diligently to “capture the essence of the music” to ensure that avid concert goers who tailgated throughout the years remain “satisfied.” Of noted importance, Ashley worked to create a story that enabled the music to organically mesh while adding “Easter eggs or hidden references into the show with Buffett’s songs.” Following its La Jolla Playhouse run, the musical is headed to New Orleans, Houston and Chicago before opening up on Broadway.
