Music Theater Works: Escape to Margaritaville
Brian Acker, Khaki Pixley, Chase Grabowski and Kate McQuillan, Juliet Lopez-Gutierrez and Mikala Curless
Music Theater Works Presents Jimmy Buffet’s ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE Review - It’s Not a Phase, It’s a Lifestyle
TLDR: A traditional musical structure with the straight romantic leads and the comedic ones, Escape to Margaritaville takes us on their romantic journeys as they learn from each other to grow. Set to Jimmy Buffet’s iconic songs, the jokes are rolling in from lost pop tops, to innuendos, to puns that the cast delivers in this light-hearted musical.
Kate McQuillan and Brian Acker
Vacation Romance in Margaritaville
We’re going on vacation. As the weather changes here in Chicago, it’s time for us to head south for an island getaway. Straw thatched roofs, wicker furniture, and a tiki bar set the stage as we enter the North Shore theater. Giant postcards above the stage proclaim a welcome to paradise, wish you were here, and greetings from the volcano!
From there, Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville whirls us away with unexpected romances at the Margaritaville resort. The regular musical entertainer, Tully (Brian Acker), and his trusty sidekick and bartender, Brick (Chase Grabowski), have a system every week that never fails. New vacationers come in looking for a carefree time and they’re more than happy to give it to them knowing after those seven days they’ll be long gone. This is the life for them and everyone else who works at the resort - they’re on island time rotating people in and out while enjoying everything away from the hubbub of the mainland.
But when Rachel and Tammy (Kate McQuillan and Khaki Pixley) from Cincinnati come for a getaway before Tammy’s upcoming nuptials, they unexpectedly threaten to upend their casual romance routine. These four find themselves in a whirlwind, weeklong romance where what happens on the island might not be able to stay on the island.
Our four romantic leads are also accompanied by a colorful cast of characters like the owner of the hotel (Tamara Batiest) who has a way with the guests, getting them to relax even when the hotel may not be as luxurious as advertised. Jacob Merschel as Jamal is also a fan favorite with a permanent smile on his face even when he’s singing he doesn’t know what he’s gonna do when the “Volcano” blows. So while we’re still watching how Tully, Rachel, Tammy, and Brick are doing, we’re also entertained by the other goings-on with the staff and hotel guests around them.
We’re On Island Time Now
At its core, Escape to Margaritaville is a jukebox musical using songs from Jimmy Buffet’s catalogue. There’s his usual standards, which, even if you’re only vaguely aware of Jimmy Buffet, you’ll still recognize “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and the titular “Margaritaville.” Then there’s deeper cuts like “It’s My Job” that has been cut and molded to work with the story as Rachel sings about wanting to help fix the world with her sustainable energy proposal. And Tully finds his sound writing about what he knows with “Love and Luck.”
The script bakes in references to the song lyrics so that when the time comes, we know beach bum J.D. is notorious for losing his shaker of salt and Tammy is not turning down that cheeseburger after dieting on carrot juice and sunflower seeds. And our actors ham up these jokes with an over the top delivery so we know they’re in on the joke as well. Escape to Margaritaville is packed with all kinds of other jokes and bits that keep with the vibe of the show of not taking things too seriously and going with the flow.
Chase Grabowski with members of the cast
The After Party Thoughts
When I first saw this musical here in Chicago, it was previewing in 2017 and ended up playing on Broadway for a few months. References have been updated in the last decade and my favorite line is still in there (“White people love that shit!”), but the main premise is still the same. We’ve got the romances where each person in their respective couple learns something from the other set to the soundtrack of Jimmy Buffet.
Where the original production faltered, was the second act as it turns into a fever dream of volcanoes, tap dancing insurance agents, and landing a plane on the Ohio river. But where I think Music Theater Works production has finally succeeded is hitting the humor with an over the top campy way vs the original production played them as more straight jokes. So it takes it from cringe and roll your eyes, to smile and groan and the second act makes more sense as it ties it with the amped up campiness of the first.
So bottomline, is this a musical for die-hard Jimmy Buffet fans? Yes, absolutely. Is it made only for them? Absolutely not. Escape to Margaritaville is approachable for all musical theatre fans who are looking for a lighter fare and a goofy, silly show. Though the score may have been a bit challenging to deliver as is the case with some pop musicals, Escape to Margaritaville hits the marks of a traditional musical and succeeds with making a funny night out.
RECOMMENDED
Brian Acker with members of the cast
When
Now through November 1, 2026
Where
North Shore Center For The Performing Arts
9501 Skokie Blvd.
Skokie, IL 60077
Runtime: 2hrs 20min, including intermission
Tickets
$19.50+
Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 847.673.6300 or through the Music Theater Works website
Photos
Brett Beiner
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago
Brian Acker and Brian James
CAST
Brian Acker (Tully)
Kate McQuillan (Rachel)
Khaki Pixley (Tammy)
Chase Grabowski (Brick)
Tamara Batiest (Marley)
Brian James (J.D.)
Matt Frye (Chadd / Ensemble / Understudy Brick)
Lili Galluzzo (Ensemble / Understudy Rachel)
Mackenzie Furlett (Ensemble / Understudy Tammy / Dance Captain)
Andrew Faggion (Ted / Ensemble / Understudy Tully)
Mikala Curless (Ensemble)
Ivan James (Ensemble / Understudy J.D. / Non-Equity Deputy)
Jacob Merschel (Jamal / Ensemble)
Kelcy Taylor (Ensemble / Understudy Marley)
Kenny Miller (Ensemble / Swing)
Juliet Lopez-Gutierrez (Ensemble / Swing)
Brian Acker and Kate McQuillan
CREATIVE
Greg Garcia & Mike O’Malley (Book)
Jimmy Buffett (Music & Lyrics)
Brenda Didier (Director / Choreographer)
Sarafina Vecchio (Co-Director)
Clayton Cross (Co-Choreographer)
Linda Madonia (Music Director)
Alina Loewenstein (Associate Music Director)
Amber Wuttke (Intimacy & Violence Choreographer)
Kathy Logelin (Dialect Coach)
Mack Finklea (Stage Manager)
Ryker Blankenship (Assistant Stage Manager)
Bob Knuth (Scenic Designer)
Ab Rieve (Props Designer)
kClare McKellaston (Costume Designer)
Kristen Brinati (Wardrobe Head)
Melanie Saso (Hair, Wig & Makeup Designer)
Macy Rea (Hair, Wig & Makeup Lead)
Denise Karczewski (Lighting Designer)
Riley Woods (Assistant Lighting Designer)
Carl Wahlstrom (Sound Designer)
Kalyssa Montoya (Assistant Sound Designer)
Forrest Gregor (Production Sound Engineer)
Ben Lipinski (Technical Director)
Liz Brachman (Assistant Technical Director)
Amy Lord (NSCPA Technical Director)
Keely Vasquez (Casting Director)
Chris Chase (Production Manager)
Katie Meine (Company Manager)
Kyle Dougan-LeBlanc (Producing Artistic Director)
Orchestra
Linda Madonia (Keyboard / Conductor)
Cara Strauss (Reed)
Greg Strauss (Trumpet)
Eric von Holst (Bass)
Kyle Paul (Guitar 1)
Mike Lockler (Guitar 2)
Tina Laughlin (Percussion)
Lindsay Williams (Drums)