NSMT’s ‘Margaritaville’ a perfect summer escape

By Rich Fahey

BEVERLY — Apparently, it’s five o’clock the moment you step onto the grounds of the North Shore Music Theatre.

At least for the next week or so, it will remain five o’clock.

That’s because one of Jimmy Buffett’s signature tunes – “Five O’clock Somewhere” – is an ode to starting Happy Hour at whatever time it happens to be then.

So break out the “Parrothead” from the last Buffett concert, don your Hawaiian shirt and adopt the island mindset for the North Shore Music Théâtre’s “Escape to Margaritaville” now through Aug. 27.

To get you in the mood, NSMT has set up an outside Tiki Hut-styled bar for margaritas, pina coladas, etc. Inside, the tropical theme abounds thanks to Nate Bertone’s scenic design and Paul Tazewell’s original costume design.

 It’s late summer and no one really wants to hear about death and despair when the daily news is full of both, so “Escape” is an ode to the joys of visiting a place where there is no internet or cellphone service.

Rachel (Dakota Mackey-McGee) is an environmental scientist in Cincinnati who finds it hard to let her hair down. Her best friend Tammy (Shelly Lynn Walsh) is just a week away from getting married to an abusive bum named Chadd (Kal Kalil) who is nagging her about her weight and whom Rachel hates with a passion.

So off they go to the Caribbean and a resort called Margaritaville, which looked a lot better on the website.

Book writers Greg Garcia and Boston native and noted actor Mike O’Malley eschewed high art in favor of high entertainment, so the musical boasts both zippy one-liners and a cast of zany island characters.

In Margaritaville, Rachel and Tammy encounter a ultra-laid back and sweet-strumming guitarist named Tully Mars (Wes Williams), whose voice is much better than Buffett’s, and his friend Brick (Sean Steele), the sweet but slow bartender.

Marley (Altamiece Carolyn Cooper) is the testy proprietor, unable to get the aging grounded pilot J.D. (Jope Hart) off his bar stool, or to get much work at all from Jamal (a hilarious Caleb Ajao, both funny and flexible).

Buffett’s score is, of course, anchored by the smash 1977 hit “Margaritaville” and other tunes such as “Cheeseburger in Paradise” – kudos to the prop designer on that one – as well as “A Pirate Look at 40,” “License to Chill” and the aforementioned “Five o’Clock Somewhere.” The rest of the score is pleasant enough but seems written and designed for the situation in hand. It doesn’t tend to be subtle, as in “Why Don’t We Get Drunk (and Screw).”

Of course, Rachel and Tully hit it off as do Brick and Tammy – although their consummation of their relationship will have to wait until later in the show – but “Margaritaville” can only go so far with that. And, besides, the two women do go back to Cincinnati after their week in the Caribbean, so any reunions are delayed.

So cue in the volcano’s eruption, a side plot about J.D.’s buried treasure and a tap-dancing chorus of zombie insurance agents who appear not once but twice to provide some delightful comic relief. Somehow, Tully, Brick, Marley and J.D. will find their way to Cincinnati on the brink of Tammy’s wedding. Can Tully break away from his lifelong aversion to a committed relationship” Can Brick stop Tammy from making a mistake?

Williams, Mackey-McGee, Steele and Walsh make their characters likeable and easy to root for.

Director and choreographer Charlie Sutton is blessed with an energetic and talented ensemble, who do much of the heavy lifting in the many production numbers. The energy never lags and the pacing is brisk.

Music director Robert Rucinski and his orchestra tap into Buffett’s country-calypso vibe and provide the appropriate backdrop.

“Margaritaville” is the perfect summer escape. I looked great in my Hawaiian shirt.

The North Shore Music Theatre production of Jimmy Buffett’s “Escape to Margaritaville.” Music and lyrics by Jimmy Buffett. Book by Greg Garcia and Mike O’Malley. Directed and choreographed by Charlie Sutton. Scenic design by Nate Bertone. Original costume design by Paul Tazewell; costume coordination by Kelly Baker. Lighting design by Corey Whittemore. Sound design by Alex Berg and Don Hanna. Wig and Hair design by Rachel Padula Shufelt. At the North Shore Music Theatre through Aug. 27. Nsmt.org