Berkshire on Stage

Escape to Margaritaville, featuring the music of the late Jimmy Buffett, had a brief run on Broadway in 2018. Bringing this musical to the Mac-Haydn stage is Director/Choreographer, Clint Hromsco. Given the brevity of Margaritaville’s experience on Broadway and my lack of familiarity with Buffett’s music, my
expectations were not high. Yet, being aware of Buffett’s light-hearted island vibe, I was sure the show would be sweet and easy, and the Mac-Haydn cast would give their all. Because I saw a preview, I cannot offer a formal review. However, nothing about this performance said, “We’re working out the kinks.”

Before the musical begins, the vibe is set. The ushers wear island shirts and leis, and Anjewel Lenoir as Marley, the owner of a rundown hotel, Margaritaville, in the Caribbean, enters the stage informing us we do not need our cell phones because the island has no service. Everyone smiles.

Tully, Mikey Marmann in his Mac-Haydn debut, is the singer at the hotel, and is used to having meaningless flings with hotel guests. He enjoys his low-key life in the Caribbean and has little interest in working hard or being ambitious. He joins Brick, a bar tender played by Jonah Hale and J.D. a beach bum and frequent older patron at the hotel bar, played by Steve Taylor, also in his Mac-Haydn debut.

On their way to Margaritaville from Ohio, we find Tammy (Shannon Tsnoda) about to marry a jerk named Chadd (Jack Dossett) who only wants her to lose weight for the wedding. Her best friend, Rachel (Amelia Barr) is an uptight scientist joining her in this pre-wedding getaway and absolutely hates Chadd, hoping Tammy will change her mind and break her engagement.

Predictably, we can see the arc of all these characters. Tully will meet his love, Rachel. Tammy will realize Chadd is a creep. Rachel will find love may be just as important as her work. J.D., who has experienced tragedy in his life leading him to his sorry state will find a reason to clean up his act. Brick and Tammy, who endlessly flirt, will see in each other what they have been missing. Even Marley, the stalwart hotel owner will find her happy ending.

What can be fun about a jukebox musical is seeing how Garcia and O’Malley turn Buffet’s music into a story. Drinking is constantly encouraged with much of the cast singing, ‘Five O’Clock Somewhere.’ J.D. offers, ‘Why Don’t We Get Drunk and Screw.’ Tully tells the story of his family to Rachel with ‘Son of a Son of a Sailor.’ Rachel and Tammy will reflect on their transformations on the island with ‘Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.’

Before Act 1 ends with a dreaded volcano, the entire cast sings ‘Margaritaville,’ a true sing-along moment with the audience, as drunken J.D. looks for his “lost shaker of salt.” Act 1 also ends with Rachel and Tammy returning to their lives in Ohio. We know the true happy ending will not occur until the end of Act 2.

Throughout the story, Tully teaches Rachel how to play guitar; Rachel seeks soil from the volcano for her project to turn potatoes into energy; J.D. searches for his treasure he has buried, and his lost plane to evacuate the island following the volcano. When Tully gets J.D. to fly him to Ohio to confess his love for Rachel, Rachel finds she is not ready to abandon her research to live on a Caribbean island. Tammy, on the other hand, wisely leaves Chadd and makes a life with Brick.

An agent in Ohio who hears Tully sing sees his potential and encourages him to pursue his musical career. As Rachel finds success in science, Tully becomes a rock star. And then they find each other again.

Marmann as Tully brings a sincerity to his role, as well as a lovely voice and legitimate guitar skills. Barr, again, after her role as Grace in Annie and Cathy in The Last Five Years, is the beautiful love interest with a strong brain and singing voice. Three leads in a row does not daunt her She seems indefatigable. Hale as Brick is also in his third lead role, playing in the same musicals as Barr. Yet, his three roles are completely different. After playing sleazy, conniving Rooster in Annie, he plays slightly dim-witted, heart of gold Brick. His versatility is remarkable. Always a great dancer, we get to see him tap dance along with the members of his nightmare (the ensemble) as he remembers a bad drug trip.

Stepping into a major role as Tammy, Tsnoda believably plays the accepting girlfriend until she unleashes her sexual desires and use of double entendres on the island and eventually fights back against her abusive fiancée in Ohio and falls for Brick who truly loves her. She sings; she dances; she is ready for fun. We root for her in ‘Cheeseburger In Paradise.’

Taylor as J.D., the only senior member of the cast, provides the comedy as we are drawn to his sad history.

Providing the true island character are Marley and busboy, Jamal (Hedwyn Lamy). Lenoir has a twinkle in her eye as she observes and narrates what goes on in her hotel. Reminiscent of Bloody Mary from South Pacific, we hear her rooting for the love lives and happiness of her staff. Lamy elevates his role with his charm, dancing and singing, as he has done in past musicals this season.

As director and choreographer, Hromsco, as well as Associate Director/Choreographer, Elizabeth Yanick are fortunate to work with the well-oiled Mac-Haydn cast. They dance fluidly and enthusiastically on this modest stage. There are always bits going on in the aisles, with all actors moving and reacting to each other in the island atmosphere.

Sam Landy, Costume Designer, has the cast change their clothes as often as I do on vacation. Prints are colorful and bold on the island, while becoming more conservative in the States. An island wedding sees everyone in pastels with the bride in a simple white dress.

Scenic Designer, Alivia Cross provides a backdrop of a sunset over the ocean in shades of turquoise and orange. A border of palm fronds surrounds the stage up above. Lighting by Andrew Gmoser provides the bright sun in the Caribbean as well as the darkness of the volcano. Sean McGinley as Sound Designer fortunately has none of the static issues present in previous shows. The sounds of the volcano are believable. As always, props are wheeled in and out providing quick transitions from a tiki bar to a plane to a wedding venue.

Music Director, Alex Franklin leads the consistent strong performance of the five- piece band.

A far cry from some the more familiar musicals presented by Mac-Haydn this season, a visit to Escape to Margaritaville is a pleasant way to ‘waste the day.’ Being entertained by a musical, however, is never a waste. By the way, I saw that lost shaker of salt on the stage. It was never mentioned and never found.

Jimmy Buffett’s “Escape to Margaritaville” music and lyrics by Jimmy Buffett, book by Greg Garcia & Mike O’Malley, directed & choreographed by Clint Hromsco, runs from August 21-31, 2025, at the Mac-Haydn Theatre, 1925 State Route 203, Chatham, NY. CAST: Anjewel Lenoir as Marley, Mikey Marmann as Tully, Jonah Hale as Brick, Steve Taylor as J.D., Shannon Tsnoda as Shannon, Jack Dossett as Chadd, Amelia Barr as Rachel, Hedwyn Lamy as Jamal. CREATIVE TEAM: Associate Director/Choreographer Elizabeth Yanick, Costume Designer Sam Landy, Scenic Designer Alivia Cross, Lighting Designer Andrew Gmoser, Sound Designer Sean McGinley, Music Director Alex Franklin.

PERFORRMANCE DETAILS

August 21, 2:00 & 8:00pm; August 22, 8:00pm; August 23, 4:00; August 24, 2:00 & 7:00pm; August 27, 2:00pm; August 28, 2:00 & 8:00pm; August 29, 8:00pm; August 30, 4:00 & 8:00pm; August 31, 2:00 & 7:00pm.
Mac-Haydn Theatre, 1925 NY-203, Chatham, NY
Tickets available at www.machaydntheatre.org or by calling the box office at (518) 392-9292.