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CHAMPION -- It's safe to say a Jimmy Buffett song and a Jimmy Buffett concert are about a good time, not a perfect time.
The same could be said of a Jimmy Buffett musical. "Escape to Margaritaville" isn't great theater. Despite being built around the music of a man who had no trouble selling out 20,000-seat amphitheaters all summer, the show lasted less than four months on Broadway in 2018.
And there are some choppy waters on this lovely cruise directed by Eric S. Kildow and staged by Kent State University at Trumbull Theatre through Nov. 19. That doesn't mean it's not fun, especially for longtime Parrotheads.
Those who know the songs by heart can pick out the Easter eggs in the first act, the little references and character traits introduced early on that help weave familiar songs like "Cheeseburger in Paradise" or "He Went to Paris" into the second act.
Most of the story takes place in a rundown hotel and bar on an unnamed Caribbean island. Tully (Harmon Andrews) is the singer at the bar, where he's content to play for tourists and serve as the vacation fling for a different woman each week.
His aimless life is disrupted by Rachel (Bethany Yamaner), a driven scientist who hopes the nutrient-rich volcano ash on the island could be the needed ingredient for developing a clean, renewable energy source using potatoes.
Tully gets Rachel to shake her all-business demeanor and ultimately he's one to say, "Hey, let's stay in touch," at the end of her vacation.
It's the secondary storyline that really stood out opening night in Kent-Trumbull production. Rachel's trip doubles as a bachelorette weekend before the wedding of her best friend Tammy (JoJo Garcia) to a controlling man (Adam Garon) who has her on a restrictive diet to slim down for her wedding day.
Tammy spends the week in the Caribbean trying to avoid temptation, both culinary and carnal, thanks to Tully's best friend Brick (Jose Garcia), who thinks Tammy is perfect in every way.
The real-life husband and wife had great chemistry and milked the I-can't-but-I-so-want-to dynamic of their relationship for many laughs.
JoJo Garcia by far had the strongest voice in the cast, and her vocal power also allowed the backing band to let loose. Music Director Matt White leads a talented ensemble, but too often it felt like they were in a room with a sleeping baby and trying not to play too loud so as not to drown out the vocalists. Microphones shouldn't be needed in a space this small, but the inability of some of the singers to project forced the band to tip toe when the music called for the players to gallop.
Andrews had several pleasing numbers in the middle of the show, particularly "Son of a Son of a Sailor" and the first act finale "Margaritaville." Dakota Smith brought a live-wire, unpredictable energy to "Volcano" to open the second act. Ron Wolford was entertaining a crusty barfly J.D., and Jacqueline Shannon, ducked, weaved and ultimately succumbed to his advances with equal skill.
Perhaps the best way to enjoy "Escape" is to approach it like a Buffett concert. Don't take theater etiquette guidance from Lauren Bobert, but this isn't "Macbeth" or even "South Pacific."
Wear your favorite tropical attire. A boat drink or two before the show wouldn't be inappropriate. Put your hands over your head and make like a shark during "Fins" and sing along with "Cheeseburger in Paradise," "Margaritaville" and "Why Don't We Get Drunk ..."
The show is dedicated to Buffett, who died Sept. 1 at age 76, and the best way to honor his legacy is to make it a party.
If you go …
WHAT: "Escape to Margaritaville"
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday through Nov. 19
WHERE: Kent State University at Trumbull, 4314 Mahoning Ave. NW, Champion
HOW MUCH: $20 adults, $17 students and senior citizens and $15 children 12 and younger. Tickets are available online at www.kent.edu/trumbull/theatre and by calling 330-675-8887.