Evaluation: Previous Log Theatre’s ‘Margaritaville’ delivers small space for escape
It truly is possibly finest to get your tropical drink prior to you see “Escape to Margaritaville.” Margarita eyes will make the present go down a entire ton better.
The Jimmy Buffett musical that is up at the Outdated Log Theatre about boozing and vacation romance has some authentic expertise linked with it.
Erik Paulson has built a established that immediately summons the story’s quite a few milieus. The manufacturing is helmed by director Eric Morris, with colourful costumes by Melanie Wehrmacher, a comically substantial beard by wig designer Paul Bigot and a flash of pizazzy choreography by Stephanie Ann Bertumen.
They do their greatest to obtain moments of humor and joy. But they are doing work with music, drawn from Buffett’s catalog that appeals to die-tricky Parrotheads, but not objective-developed for a theatrical display. The music occur off generally as unwell-fitting and unusual. And the cast’s wrestle with the material is obvious all through “Margaritaville,” which never actually rises higher than its drunk rock holiday vibe.
When is a great time for a drink? Properly, at any time, because “It is really Five O’Clock Somewhere.” Often.
In which will those people cocktails provide you? Perfectly, one particular variety, which incorporates viewers participation, speaks to some libidinal hope: “Why Don’t We Get Drunk and Screw.” Intimate, eh.
And 1 extra: How do you really feel soon after all that ingesting? “My Head Hurts, My Toes Stink, and I Don’t Really like Jesus.” That past Buffett variety, which was included in the 2017 “Margaritaville” premiere in California, has mercifully been reduce from the Outdated Log edition but it is really not the only tune that needed to be axed.
The hackneyed tale, as well, lacks narrative propulsion. Established at a rundown lodge owned by Marley (Kia Brown) on a volcanic Caribbean island, it revolves all-around an inexplicable romance involving part-time singer Tully (Ryan Lee) and environmental scientist Rachel (Maureen O’Malley). Tully normally beds feminine travelers but somehow falls for Rachel, who is attempting to appear up with an different vitality supply in the age of weather improve.
Rachel arrived to the island with finest pal Tammy (Amanda Mai), who, in flip, is engaged to Chadd (Max Kile), a jerk who has place her on a daily food plan of 8 ounces of carrot juice and 50 sunflower seeds.
There are musicals that combine an extant music catalog with a new story that really get the job done. Consider of the at any time-common “Mamma Mia!” or “Jelly’s Last Jam,” now up at Theater Latte Da.
You preserve ready for “Margaritaville” to catch a spark and ignite but it by no means does. The most warmth in the exhibit will come from an erupting volcano that figures prominently in the story, threatening the lives of the people and the motion onstage.
One particular under no circumstances would like to feel like rooting for a purely natural disaster wherever, minimum of all in a theater. But sometimes it can be the only matter that can stop a manmade 1.
‘Escape to Margaritaville’
When: 1:30 p.m. Thu., 7:30 p.m. Fri. & Sat., 2 p.m. Solar. Finishes Aug. 27.
Where by: Old Log Theatre, 5185 Meadville St., Excelsior.
Tickets: $30-$40. 952-474-5951 or oldlog.com.
