ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE IN THE DESERT
Entering the theater at Desert TheatreWorks in Indio (between Palm Springs and the Salton Sea), it sure didn’t feel like the desert. I was greeted by Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville cast members who placed a Hawaiian lei around my neck while at the same time I was awestruck by Matthew McLean’s stunning tropical island set on stage — creating palpable joy even before the show started. And despite this reviewer’s fondness for original scores with books that ask an audience to work a little, I have to give it to Director Lance Phillips; Musical Director Doug Wilson; and Choreographer Anthony Nannini for achieving their obvious goal: mindless, diverting fun, full of good humor and engaging performances. While Greg Garcia and Mike O’Malley’s book is thin, they have managed to write a musical that almost reasonably connects the pre-existing songs. The show doesn’t ask a lot from the viewers except that they have a good time — if this is your thing, consider the show successful.
The show includes Buffet’s best songs, and will have Jimmy Buffet fans — a.k.a. Parrotheads — clapping and singing along. It includes “Margaritaville,” of course, “Cheeseburger in Paradise,“ “Volcano,” “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere” and “Why Don’t We Get Drunk.” (The latter sounds like good advice before seeing this show … how about a Piña Colada?)
“Cheeseburger in Paradise“
Unlike many jukebox musicals, Margaritaville takes a different path, with a story largely based on the lyrics in Buffet’s songs instead of telling his life story. The story revolves around Tully (Steve Knill, former contestant on The Voice), a singer-songwriter who is hanging out at the Margaritaville Resort, a rundown hotel on an unnamed Caribbean island. Tully meets tourist Rachel (Cydney Krone), a smart, driven workaholic who panics when she realizes that the island doesn’t have WiFi. She is traveling with her best friend Tammy, played with aplomb by Stephanie Jaurequi, for a last hurrah before Tammy’s wedding — that is, unless Rachel can talk Tammy out of marrying her jerk of a fiancé.
Sonny Von Cleveland and company
Sonny Von Cleveland is also making his DTW debut in the role of Brick, the bartender who balks when Tammy shares that her fiancé has put her on a restricted diet of carrot juice and sunflower seeds. Brick and Tammy stir up forbidden chemistry, and a lot of the show’s offbeat charm comes from their budding relationship. Shel Safir is quite funny stumbling across the stage as the local drunk J.D., and his number “Why Don’t We Get Drunk (and Screw)” is memorable. He spends his time chasing Marley (Tamra Harkley), the harried resort manager who has much better things to do. Harkley does a great job in the role but her powerful voice is underutilized. I look forward to seeing her in a role where her vocal prowess is more on display.
Steve Knill
DTW Artistic Director Lance Phillips scored a coup finding new theater talent in both Knill and Von Cleveland. While they have opportunities to grow as actors, I was impressed by how natural and comfortable Knill was in his role. When he starts to strum the guitar and share his powerhouse vocal chops it is evident that he belongs on the stage. Plus he exudes charm and has dimples you can park a truck in. He is musically perfect in the role. Von Cleveland, in his commitment to embodying Brick possesses great stage presence. His willingness to be authentic and vulnerable goes a long way in making his an endearing performance. And Krone, who made her DTW debut in last season’s Little Shop of Horrors, continues to delight with her huge talent and big heart.
The ensemble plays many different characters from vacationers to city folk to, yes, zombies. The company executes production numbers with enthusiasm and contagious joy. You do not have to be a Parrothead to enjoy Escape to Margaritaville; you just need the desire to have an unabashedly good time in the theater. The show runs for one more weekend and has been selling out consistently, so move fast.
photos by Tara Howard
Escape to Margaritaville
Desert TheatreWorks, 45175 Fargo Street in Indio (Riverside County)
ends on April 2, 2023
for tickets, visit DTW
