Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville - CM Performing Arts Center | 3.30.25

CM Performing Arts Center is currently producing “Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville” from March 29th to April 12th. This production marks Long Island theater veteran Jason Furnari’s mainstage directorial debut at the venue and it is an absolute success! I’ve said for months now that I’m happy to have been introduced to a lot more dramas and plays since writing these reviews, but I was more than happy to return to a format I *love* with a jukebox musical like this and I had a blast! Many people criticize jukebox musicals because they lack depth and serious storylines - some even say that whatever light storyline there is, only exists to justify placement of certain songs - I don’t disagree, but I don’t see it as a bad thing! I like a nice, light distraction from life and as long as the show is funny and the music sounds good…I dig it.

And this production placed me far past pleased!

As you can easily infer, the musical is based off the music of Jimmy Buffett which on its own invokes a feeling of tropical fun, warmth, and ‘togetherness’ if you will and this cast captures that vibe perfectly. The story is your typical romantic comedy fare; tourists come to a hotel in the Caribbean called Margaritaville and find romantic relationships they were not expecting to find and we see these connections grow. Nothing ground-breaking here, but that’s often how I like it. The comedy in this script will find you smiling and laughing all the way through. 

Veronica Fox, Jason Steven Kopp.

Photo Credit: photosxbyem

Leading the cast is Jason Steven Kopp as Tully, who you may recognize from CM’s recent production of ‘Rock of Ages.’ Tully is a bartender and singer at Margaritaville who is kinda the “player” of the staff, known for having affairs with female patrons that ultimately lead nowhere by design. Kopp is beyond effective in this role, bringing the laughs you’re expecting and singing recognizable songs like “License to Chill” and “Margaritaville” - I’m not sure if I should credit him or the arrangements (likely both!) for the musical theater feel of his numbers but I noticed and appreciated it. Catching Tully’s eye is Rachel, played by the always delightful Veronica Fox. Fox brings a certain warmth to every role she plays and this was no exception. You are immediately endeared toward Rachel and vocally, you’ll enjoy numbers like the super-fun “Fins” as well as “It’s My Job.”

The other couple you’ll be keeping an eye out for is between Tammy and Brick, played by Sarah Klaum and James O’Connor respectively. (I saw the Sunday, March 30th performance where understudy Camila Montoya played the role of Tammy.) Tammy is on the verge of getting married to a boy named Chadd (Logan Glorioso) who is extremely critical of her physical appearance and insisting that she lose weight before their wedding.

Now, there’s support for a lifestyle goal and then there’s rude…and I can confidently say that Chadd is rude. Crazy rude. (Good for a chuckle, I’ll admit but rude nonetheless.)

Anyhoo, Tammy needs a break and she finds it in Margaritaville with Brick and you’ll be cheering for their silly love throughout the show. Montoya captured the innocent nature of Tammy quite nicely and easily convinced me that I’d likely be best friends with Tammy if I saw her at a bar! Her rendition of “Cheeseburger in Paradise” in Act 2 was pure delight. I think you’ll find O’Connors’ Brick is equally magnetic and you’ll thoroughly enjoy them both in “We Are The People Our Parents Warned Us About.” Another standout for me was Marley, played by Malika Batchie-Lockhart. Wow! She’s excites me *so* much. Batchie-Lockhart serves as a member of the Board of Directors at CMPAC and this role marks her return to theater after years of being away - and what a return it is! I challenge you *not* to smile every time she walks on stage. Her presence is undeniable, her comedic timing is absolutely spot-on - I can’t say enough good things about her! Here’s hoping she blesses us with more going forward. I’m sure her contribution on the board is solid, but I want more of her on stage. She absolutely glows! Her chemistry with frequent scene partner John Mazzarella is of particular note too; you’d think they knew each other for years and years based on how they interact!

Malika Batchie-Lockhart, John Mazzarella.

Photo Credit: Photosxbyem

Mazzarella is of particular interest to me too, as he’s playing double-duty as the set designer of this production and countless others at the theater. He plays the role of J.D., a 70-something year old man who also works at Margaritaville. Now I’ll be honest; I’m not usually into young people playing an older character because I feel like it gets a bit cartoony and silly - but much credit is due to Mazzarella as well as Furnari’s direction as this felt reeled in and appropriate. It was the right amount of silly and Mazzarella was the driving force behind quite a bit of the humor in many scenes, which I was impressed with. You’ll find his Act 1 number with Batchie-Lockhart “Why Don’t We Get Drunk and Screw” particularly fun. I was thinking about this song all the way home!

Mazzarella’s set design should be mentioned as well, as it's bright and detailed - everything that you have come to expect from him and this venue. Carl Hottinger returns as Music Director and needless to say, everything sounds exactly as you’d expect - perfect. Hottinger has a standard that is kept intact with this production. The “Margaritaville” ensemble also contributes greatly to the comedy as well, and Ruben Fernandez’s choreography looked crisp and well-executed.. There are no weak links in this production! If you are looking for some light-hearted fun or simply a reason to rush summer along, Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville has something for everyone to enjoy! This production runs at CM Performing Arts Center until April 12 and tickets can be purchased at the door, by calling the box office, or by visiting their website at www.cmpac.com.

Cast:

Tully - Jason Steven Kopp

Rachel - Veronica Fox

Tammy - Sarah Klaum (Understudy, Camilla Montoya)

Brick - James O’Connor

Marley - Malika Batchie-Lockhart

J.D. - John Mazzarella

Jamal - Eddie Martinez

Chadd - Logan Glorioso

Ensemble - Erica Nicole Elliot+, Keith Jones, Andrew Lenahan, Sarah Minto, Camilla Montoya+, Jennifer Morales, Kayla Murray, Dylan O’Leary, Melina Piervencenti

+ DANCE CAPTAINs

Creative Team:

Director - Jason Furnari

MUSIC DIRECTOR - Carl Hottinger

Stage Manager - Will Brennan

CHOREOGRAPHER - Ruben Fernandez

SOUND Designer - Evan Lettieri & Emerson Wachnik

PROPS DESIGNER - Heather Van Velsor

Scenic Designer - JOHN MAZZARELLA

LIGHTING DESIGNER - JOHN VAIANO

Costume/WIG Designer - RONALD R. GREEN III