Cameron Nies and Melissa Campbell in Escape to Margaritaville
Are you in need of refreshment? The Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse offers us an Escape to Margaritaville – just the sunny, tropical-fruit-garnished tonic for those of us who'd love a Caribbean getaway, but can't get away.
This production, with its book by television producer Greg Garcia and actor/scriptwriter Mike O'Malley, premiered in 2017. The show's music and ambiance are courtesy of legendary trop-rock pioneer Jimmy Buffett, who is still performing at 76. Director/choreographer Amy McCleary, music director Ron May, and the cast and crew serve this delicious cocktail in a tall, cool glass to put you in the best of spirits.
Circa '21's latest contains all or part of some 23 Buffett tunes. Going into Thursday's preview night, I only knew six, and they're all here ("Margaritaville," naturally, holds sway over all.) Buffett guested on Alan Jackson's 2003 "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," and that's here, too. Another reason this is not strictly a jukebox musical: Buffett wrote "Three Chords" especially for it. I get irritated when the plots of juke-style shows are awkwardly contorted to fit the extant lyrics. Yet for this one, Buffett tweaked some of his songs' words to better fit the story, which suits me. Also, several elements mentioned in the title tune fall deftly into place during Act I, so props to co-writers Garcia and O'Malley for that.
There are real-life Margaritaville resorts, which I'm sure are lovely – this fictional one is a shabby, tourist-overrun dive with a burnt-out staff. It took me a while to warm up to the material, as early on, the script is redolent with bad '70s-era TV dialogue. (Garcia had a hand in several sitcoms, so there ya go). But this doesn't reflect poorly on the marvelous cast.
Cameron Nies is tremendously appealing as Tully, who's not so much a beach bum as a coastal Casanova – he works, but he's a playa off the clock. In truth, Tully is almost too likable – I'd have preferred him to be more of a scoundrel, so that later, we get that warm mismatched-couple-falls-in-love gratification. (You knew there had to be an antithesis love interest, right? It's in the formula.) Melissa Campbell plays that opposing force, Rachel, who comes to Margaritaville to further her world-saving project. Campbell strikes the perfect notes to make me empathize with Rachel, who's not a killjoy or a prude – just preoccupied with volcanic soil, alternative energy sources … serious matters. Campbell hits every note with her fine voice, too, showing that she can handle loftier oeuvres than this.
Madison Stepnowski winningly portrays Rachel's best friend Tammy (though Rachel would like to save Tammy's world by getting rid of her fiancé). Stepnowski's Tammy is goodhearted, with a rebellious gene or three, which helps make her bubbly enthusiasm for partying sweetly wholesome, rather than "any excuse to get sloshed." Bobby Becher, always a true pleasure onstage, plays Margaritaville's bartender Brick, who's a bit unrefined, but endearingly amiable. I'm glad Becher is featured in so many numbers. Also, I forgive the writers for giving Brick a substance-abusing past, because it facilitates an astounding tap-dancing extravaganza with the ensemble – one of the show's highlights.
The wonderfully talented K. Bernice plays Marley, who holds Margaritaville together, denizens and visitors alike. Bernice enlivens every scene she's in; she's an energetic catalyst for her reluctant workforce and disappointed tourists. J.D., played by Brad Hauskins, is the resident barfly and part-time crab, usually parked behind a beer. Actor, director, and playwright Hauskins makes J.D. not just a tipsy, jovial irritant, but a whole human being, making this my favorite portrayal of his so far.
Joshua James Crawford is delightful as Marley's employee Jamal, and sings the fun-to-the-bone "Volcano." Liam A. Fisher, as Tammy's fiancé Chadd, plays his irredeemable genuine scoundrel role full-force. And Crawford and Fisher also perform in the fantastic ensemble, which includes Matthew J. Brightbill, Samuel Colina, Abigail Graham, Kiera Lynn, Taylor Lynn, Damaria Quick, and Riley Vogel. They take several fleeting roles with many costume changes, and sing and dance with joyous gusto. I'd call "One Particular Harbour," the exuberant finale with the whole cast, a showstopper if it weren't already at the end of the show.
On a technical level, this whole experience is outstanding, with a special shout-out to lighting designer Ronnie Breedlove, who provides yet another stunning, color-changing Circa sky. As for content warnings, there's plenty of innuendo, as well as blunt references to bodily pleasure, but no outright profanity. As for the ubiquitous drinking, the activity might resonate differently to folks like me who don't consider booze in (or out of) the blender as celebration, consolation, or one of the four basic food groups.
Serendipitously, six years ago this very weekend, I was wandering around Chicago and came upon Mr. Buffett outside Wrigley Field, playing "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" for sound check. (Chicago was a welcome break, but more of a change in longitude.) Technically, summer is a time for fun in the sun. Here, though, with excess heat, rain, and poor air quality threatening to keep us indoors, I recommend the indoors of Circa '21's Escape to Margaritaville.
Escape to Margaritaville runs at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse (1828 Third Avenue, Rock Island IL) through September 9, and more information and tickets are available by calling (309)786-7733 extension 2 and visiting Circa21.com.
