"It's five o'clock somewhere": a phrase that has been present my whole life, commonly uttered by my Dad on a hot summer evening, before 'happy hour' has officially started. Beer (or G&T) in hand and parked in an adorondak chair, having just changed into comfy clothes that usually consists of one of his favourite Jimmy Buffett t-shirts, my Dad relaxes after a long day.

Before it closes on July 1st, I made a point to see Escape to Margaritaville at the Mariott Marquis Theatre, mostly to indulge my Dad. I was already familiar with some of the classic Buffet tunes and the lifestyle that goes along with it, so I was ready for a show that wasn't going to have a whole lot of substance. From the moment I walked through the glass doors from the lobby of the hotel the theatre is located in, you're brought to a world of tiki-bars (serving Margaritas, both on the rocks and frozen, of course), ushers in Hawaiian shirts and all around fun. With my tropical printed skirt making me feel like I fit right in, I had my expectations for the show itself set very low. This show isn't meant for the theatre-goers and that is quite obvious by the atmosphere created. It had a laid-back quality and feels a bit like a cruise ship. I will say that I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this show since it fulfilled that titular expectation of 'escape'.

The show is set in a cheap vacation hotel in the Caribbean, Tully (played cool and effortlessly by Paul Alexander Nolan) is a guitar-toting singer at the hotel. When environmental scientist Rachel (Alison Luff) and her soon-to-be-wed best friend, Tammy (the delightful vocal-powerhouse, Lisa Howard), check-in to the Margaritaville hotel, where after spending a couple of days, they leave changed women.

With that being said, the plot was rather simple and indeed thin. Book writers Greg Garcia and Mike O'Malley didn't miss a single opportunity to incorporate a lyric reference into the characters and storyline, making your experience of the show either richer if you were in on the jokes or the laughter lost on you if you didn't. Any time I started to enjoy the show, the plot would take a weird turn and I do think it was to try and fit it just one more Buffett-ism (for example, as much as I love a tap number, this show was not one that needed one or was something I was looking for in it. It had one). It was also a safe assumption that the show was written by men as the two female characters had disappointing. Alison Luff's character, Rachel, is a scientist who is constantly chastised for loving her job and career and for being beautiful and single. Lisa Howard's character is Rachel's best friend whose main plot points centered around her weight. In this show, both of these women need men to make their lives more full. Suffice it to say, this show did nothing to progress female stories this season since every character is driven by sex and not intellect.

It shouldn't go without saying that despite the story lacking in substance, I enjoyed the performances and the "vibe" of the show. The show as a whole oozed the Buffett life-style from the costumes complete with a variety of tropical prints to the . The show was led by Paul Alexander Nolan who makes his performance seem as effortless and free as his the way his character, Tully, lives his life. Also, shout out the the constantly changing and moving ensemble of this show. The dancing is no joke and they are onstage, transforming from character to another and another all within minutes, not to mention they look like they are having the best time doing it.

Ultimately, out of all the shows about volcanoes this season (*cough, cough* Spongebob), this one was my favourite. I had fun recounting the show to my Dad was who busting a gut laughing at all the references they managed to fit in there. Although 'Escape to Margaritaville' didn't ultimately find its place on Broadway, I do think it will find its place on tour next year year across America.