Despite some fun characters and fan-favorite songs filling the stage, Escape to Margaritaville disappoints.
The show, which relaunched its national tour last month, and plays the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) this week, weaves together a score of Jimmy Buffett songs with a watered-down plot, that might be only fully enjoyed while wasted.
Since that is not me, I found myself constructing a mashup of ditzy jukebox musicals in my mind, including Mamma Mia! and Disaster, and asking myself, why?
Why all the beautiful people onstage? Why waste leading man Chris Clark’s charm and smile on this vehicle? Why resurrect this frivolous flip-flop of a show?
Left with more questions than answers, and only a smattering of visually and vocally enjoyable moments, I reconciled that this brand of escapism is just not my jam.
In fact, though Margaritaville’s vibe may appeal to some die-hards, it lacks any artistic level of sophistication or emotion, so much so that it may be one cheeseburger in paradise worth skipping.
Escape to Margaritaville runs through Sunday at the Durham Performing Arts Center. For more information visit https://www.dpacnc.com/.
For a complete listing of Triangle theater events, visit our Calendar page.
