ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE

Give 5 Productions (at Parker Arts Center)

June 23 – July 16

 

L-R: Sonshare Tull, the "outlaw shaker of salt," and Rick Long

 

Escape to Margaritaville, a production at Parker Arts Center by Give Five Productions, is a thoroughly enjoyable evening of ‘escape’ from the five o’clock news.

     If you’re as much a fan of Jimmy Buffett’s music as this reviewer, you’re going to love ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE!  My favorite music to listen to at Red Rocks in the 80s, this artist opened for The Eagles a few seasons ago at Coors Field. (Had it not been for completely inept crowd control, we all might have seen and heard his complete set. Nevertheless…what we got to hear was none too shabby!!!)

     Escape to Margaritaville is a 2017 jukebox musical that makes use of lots of your favorite Jimmy Buffet tunes.

     The plot concerns Tully, a part-time bartender and singer and his relationship with Rachel, a business-minded young woman experiencing the island for the first time.

     Jake Bell’s strumming and singing as Tully Mars keeps the proceedings right on key! His love interest, Rachel is well-sung by Jamie Molina.

     The sub-plot involves Chadd, a macho pig of a fiancée attempting to get his beautifully full-figured love Tammy, to diet herself into something that she’s not. Damon Guerrasio, (Marlowe Award for Best Actor in a Musical for Bullets Over Broadway) gets short shrift in this script. As always, however, his performance is top notch.

     Chadd’s fiancée Tammy is played with sparkling wit and lovely vocals, by Brekken Baker. Tammy’s triumphant success in finally giving herself her due as she sings “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” is magnificent!

     Tammy’s acquaintance with Nick Rigg Johnson’s Brick generates genuine sparks. Mr. Johnson is as animated and hilarious in his performance as his vocals are well-sung! One hopes to see both Ms. Baker and Mr. Johnson onstage again soon.

     Andrew Fisher (Jamal) brings us fully into Act Two with a rousing version of Volcano.

     Rick Long (Marlowe Award winner for his performance as Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof) is his usual talented and amiable self as J.D., a one-eyed beach bum, who hangs out and flirts with the ladies at the bar. Long’s singing of "Why Don’t We Get Drunk and Screw,” is one of the evening’s highlights!!!

     Sonsharae Tull’s performance in the role of Marley sparkles! Ms. Tull is one of Denver’s premier actors.

 It was so nice to see the beautiful and talented Jessie Page, who creates the excellent costumes, wigs and make-up for this show, in the lobby afterwards. Likewise, seeing Lara Maerz, stage manager extraordinaire, in the lobby after the show was a treat as well. 

    “ If you’re not sure if you’re gonna go,” let me just say “GO! GO! GO! ENJOY THIS SHOW!”

 

 

For tickets  go online at parkerarts.org or call 303-805-6800.