“Escape to Margaritaville” reviewed by Julia W. Rath

The star of the show is Brian Acker as Tully. He not only has a great voice but also plays Buffett’s songs beautifully on guitar. Tully is the main entertainer at a resort on the fictional island of Margaritaville, located somewhere in the Caribbean. At the same time, Rachel (Kate McQuillan—with a first-rate singing voice) is an archeologist living in Cincinnati whose dream is to change the world by creating environmentally responsible energy, while her best friend Tammy (Khaki Pixley) is engaged to marry Chadd (Matt Frye), who is intent on changing her. So as a last fling before the wedding, the two women decide to leave Cincinnati’s cold and snow and travel to Margaritaville for a week’s vacation. There they meet the irrepressible, handsome, and supremely talented Tully, whose closest friend is a fellow named Brick (Chase Grabowski). Brick is not only an entertaining singer and dancer but his easy-going character resembles one who could be found in real life.

Hosting the vacationing tourists is Marley (Tamara Batiest), with her Caribbean accent and dashiki gown, together with Jamal (Jacob Merschel), who sings about how happy life on the island can be—so why choose any other place on earth? There is also a permanent resident named J.D. (Brian James, with an incredible singing voice), who serves as an inspiration to the younger men in relating his personal history. So there is basically a contrast between two sets of people: between those who call the island home versus those who travel there as tourists and expect nothing permanent from a temporary stay. But all are in for a surprise, and the anticipated Hollywood ending shows how dreams can come true—but not necessarily in the way that the characters could have imagined

The songs are cute, and the music is likeable. There are melodies that many people know, such as the signature song “Margaritaville” and “Five O’Clock Somewhere”, and these are at the root of ensemble numbers which feature lively dancing. Then there are the songs with provocative titles, such as “We Are the People Our Parents Warned Us About”, “Cheeseburger in Paradise”, and “Why Don’t We Get Drunk & Screw.” As many of the song titles indicate, teaching guests to become carefree and to let their hair down becomes an important part of the tropical island experience. This points up the larger message that both the characters and today’s audience are expected to take back with them when they return home, namely, to enjoy life while accepting yourself for the person who you truly are—as well as to take the time to discover the person who you are meant to be.

Scenic design by Bob Knuth is fabulously done through the use of a multi-purpose, multi-level set, with rooms emerging from the back of the stage: to represent Cincinnati on stage right and a hotel room at the resort on stage left. The top level is used in some scenes as well as to serve as the orchestra’s perch. Above the entire stage, there are three signs which point to the locale. Most prominent is the sign in the middle with a picture of a volcano. These signs light up as appropriate due to the fine work of lighting designer Denise Karczewski and assistant lighting designer Riley Woods. Then there are also all the other lighting choices throughout the entire production, including the choice of neon beer signs to indicate a bar in Cincinnati. Ab Rieve, the props designer, has done a great job with all the furniture and do-dads that turn the stage into a tropical resort area. Costume design by kClare McKellaston could not have been done any better, with all sorts of Hawaiian shirts and flowered prints in various colors and patterns, worn by all the characters and the ensemble. There is also Tammy’s wedding dress in white and Rachel’s sexy black dress. Melanie Saso, the hair, wig, and makeup designer has done wonders with all of the characters. Amber Wuttke, the intimacy and violence choreographer, and Kathy Logelin, the dialect coach, have also worked hard with the actors to create authentic-looking interaction among them. Sound designer Carl Wahlstrom has created the perfect design and mix for vocals and instruments. The orchestra consists of music director 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), and Lindsay Williams (drums).

While the romantic comedy is the main thrust of the show, there are lots of other loves in this story. There is, for example, Rachel’s strong desire to make the world a better place via her career and Tully’s impetus to write and sing his songs and play his guitar. There is the love of one’s home community and culture as demonstrated by Marley and Jamal, and there is the love of country that J.D. talks about. But ultimately the moral of the story is this: Life is not just a matter of plodding along even if you’re involved in what you like to do or what you’re good at doing. It’s also about learning how to relax and unwind and take some time away from your daily activities to pause and reflect. The time off may allow you to figure out your niche in this world. And the journey may help you to find your kindred spirit or the love of your life.

“Escape to Margaritaville” is playing through November 1, 2026, at The North Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 N. Skokie Boulevard, in Skokie.

Tickets range from $54.30 to $105.75 depending on seat location.

Tickets for guests 25 years old and younger are available at half-price at MusicTheaterWorks.com or by calling the Music Theater Works box office at the North Shore Center, 847-673-6300.

Group discounts for 10 or more people are available by contacting JRuffner@MusicTheaterWorks.org.

Performance schedule:

Saturday, October 10 – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 11 – 2:00 p.m. (Post-show talk*)

Wednesday, October 14 – 2:00 p.m.

Friday, October 16 – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 17 – 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 17 – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 18 – 2:00 p.m. (Post-show talk*)

Wednesday, October 21 – 2:00 p.m.

Friday, October 23 – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 24 – 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 24 – 7:30 p.m. ASL – American Sign Language Interpreted Performance

Sunday, October 25 – 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 28 – 2:00 p.m.

Friday, October 30 – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 31 – 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 31 – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 1 – 2:00 p.m.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit: https://www.musictheaterworks.com/2026-season/margaritaville/ or go to: https://www.northshorecenter.org/events/2026/jimmy-buffetts-escape-to-margaritaville or call the Music Theater Works box office at the North Shore Center, 847-673-6300.

*Audiences are invited to stay after the 2:00 p.m. performances on Sunday, October 11 and Sunday, October 18 to join musical theater historian Thomas M. Shea, author of “Broadway’s Most Wanted,” for a post-show talk exploring the behind-the-scenes history of “Escape to Margaritaville.” Free with ticket, this engaging discussion is perfect for audiences to learn about the production, its history and more.

A final note: On opening night before the show started, we were treated to a 25-minute concert of Hawaiian music by the Na Kupuna Ukulele Club in the inner lobby of the North Theatre. Seniors played the ukulele and sang several well-known Hawaiian songs, plus we were treated to two different hula dances. During the very last song, the lyrics were changed to incorporate the name “Skokie” and “Lake Shore Drive.” It was a fun performance of approximately twenty people, with all the entertainers wearing the same white leis and salmon and white flowered shirts and dresses, made with authentic Hawaiian material.

Photos by Brett Beiner