Jimmy Buffett's "Escape to Margaritaville" Thru 3/7 at The Dolby

The perfect getaway and antidote to all your worries and woes, "Escape to Margaritaville," with a brilliant, laugh out loud, thought-provoking book by Emmy Award winner Greg Garcia and Emmy Award nominee Mike O'Malley, features both original songs and your most-loved Jimmy Buffett classics, including "Fins," "Volcano," "Come Monday," and "Cheeseburger in Paradise."

Even if you aren't already a follower of Buffett's body of music, you will come to adore his amazing repertoire from a fun fantasy-filled perspective, becoming an instant fan, singing the catchy tunes, and smiling the night away from head to toe.

You'll be in awe of the spectacular choreography by Tony Award-Nominee Kelly Devine (Come From Away), covering all genres of dance with an expert ensemble of triple threats, each a superstar in their own right. The sets and props are innovative and impressive with scenic design by Walt Spangler (Tuck Everlasting). The top notch musicians (led by orchestrator Michael Utley) appear on stage creating characters in themselves and elevating the production to a higher level of sublime sensation. Who can ask for anything more?!

I don't remember the last time I had so much fun! Don't miss a rare opportunity to abandon intensity and opt for exhilaration. There is never a dull moment in this outstanding production. You'll be movin' n' groovin' from opening to curtain call and then pining for encore after encore!!

Everyone can empathize with the pertinent topics presented, i.e. from saving the planet to women's empowerment, from materialism to spirituality.

A highlight is the audience enthusiasm and energy, many of whom are dressed in apropos duds, aka 'Parrotheads;' are well-versed in the lyrics; are happily singing along; and in turn are electrifying the environment. You can't help but be beaming and glowing inside and out!

The camaraderie of the crowd communing with the same excitement is an added bonus. Exuberance is contagious!! I wish we could use such vim and vigor towards solving the sickness, dis-ease, and angst, currently destroying the planet. Hopefully attending this profound piece of art will motivate folks to face their numerous hardships (individually and globally) with a new found moxie and fervor.

La piece de la resistance is that The Dolby Theatre is a hop skip and a jump from the Metro Red Line station at Hollywood and Highland. You won't have to deal with parking, traffic, or freeways, a glorious blessing to savor.

Hurry on down, leave your troubles behind, and catch "Escape to Margaritaville," before March 7th. Indulge in an ideal reprieve from daily mishegas. It will bring you back to comfy cozy times of pure pleasure and glee. Think circa 1963, Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon in Beach Party.

I had the marvelous opportunity to interview costar, Shelly Lynn Walsh, who plays the role of Tammy. She revealed, "Performing at the Dolby is incredible! I feel so lucky to be in the first show there, kicking off the new 'Broadway in Hollywood' series. You can't escape the fact that the Oscars were there a few weeks ago. It's also important for all the talented artists who have taken the stage throughout its history."

On working with Jimmy Buffett, Shelly said, "Sharing the stage with Jimmy is mind blowing. He's the most down to earth, cool guy, always making sure we all feel good. He's totally hands on! Jimmy's brilliantly created his own genre, a niche market of music. It's not country reggae or rock, but all those rolled up in his unique style, with catchy songs the audience participates in. We feel like rock stars when we're up there with everyone screaming, crying, and singing back to us the lyrics!"

In reference to her character, Shelly explains, "Tammy is someone everyone can relate to, especially women who identify and feel shame about their bodies. I feel privileged to pass along the message that you're always worthy and don't need other people's approval. Overcoming negative body image issues is a challenge most women (and many men) face."

After one of the shows, a theatre goer approached Shelly to let her know she had three daughters, two of whom had been hospitalized for eating disorders. The woman shared how moved she was by Shelly's portrayal and how much it meant to her. "Her reaction was pretty magical and made it all worthwhile. It's the most memorable moment I've had yet."

Shelly hopes the take away of "Escape to Margaritaville" is "1) a feeling of escape, a two hour vacation enjoying theatre for what it is; and 2) to find a character you can latch on to, thinking how maybe you could be nicer, or more thoughtful, or kinder, or to check in more often with the people you care about."

I definitely felt a delightful sense of warmth kindness and friendliness that you don't usually see at the theatre. Everyone seemed to be coming together for a similar purpose: to relish, appreciate, and ponder how we can aim to treat each other and ourselves with more love and compassion.

Shelly offered words of wisdom for aspiring artists, which can likewise apply to life in general: "If you love it, it will be worth it; keep training; keep those who believe in you close; stay humble; put being nice before everything else; any path is the right path; learn to be open to new experiences; say yes; try not to lose your individuality; and last but not least - go to college regardless of what you end up doing - it's been the #1 accomplishment in my life above all."

"Escape To Margaritaville" additionally stars Chris Clark as Tully, Sarah Hinrichsen as Rachel, Peter Michael Jordan as Brick, Rachel Lyn Fobbs as Marley, Patrick Cogan as J.D., Matthew James Sherrod as Jamal, and Devon Buchanan as Ted.
Tickets are on sale now at www.BroadwayInHollywood.com/es... and www.Ticketmaster.com; by phone at (800) 982-2787; or in person at The Dolby Theatre Box Office and The Hollywood Pantages Theatre Box Office (Both Open Daily at 10am PT).
www.EscapeToMargaritavilleMusi... Facebook: @BuffettMusical Twitter: @BuffettMusical Instagram: @BuffettMusical
Singer/songwriter/author Jimmy Buffett has become a legend of popular culture as the composer of such classic songs as "Margaritaville," and "Come Monday." He has recorded over 50 albums, most of which have gone gold, platinum or multi-platinum. His sold-out concert tours are an annual rite of summer passage for his multigenerational legions of fans, some affectionately known as Parrot Heads, many of whom are professionals by day and who dress in spectacular and outrageous tropical outfits and headwear when Jimmy comes to town.
Born in the Gulf Coast town of Pascagoula, Mississippi, Buffett was raised in Mobile, Alabama. He is a fourth- generation sailor and fisherman, a pilot, a surfer and a frequent traveler to remote and exotic places of the world, having become addicted to National Geographic magazine as a child. The lyrics to many of his songs are influenced by his travels all over the globe.
As a best-selling author, Buffett is one of only nine authors in the history of The New York Times Bestseller List to have reached #1 on both their fiction and non-fiction lists.
Jimmy has received two Grammy nominations, numerous Country Music Association awards and was the recipient of one of the nation's highest songwriting honors when he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
The most famous of all Buffett classics, "Margaritaville" has been inducted into the 2016 Grammy Hall of Fame for its cultural and historic significance. Only those recordings that have influenced and inspired both music creators and fans for generations are considered for this most special accolade.