Summer is here early at the Walnut Street Theatre.
Jimmy Buffett’s ‘Escape to Margaritaville’ opened at the historic arts venue on March 28, and it was recently announced that the production has been extended until April 30. Directed and choreographed by Lisa Stevens, the show asks audiences to “kick off their flip flops and set your clock to island time, as the Walnut is transformed into a tropical paradise where love and laughter are the keys to growing older but not up.”
The show features some classics from the celebrated artist, including “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” “Fins,” “Volcano,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” and more. The musical track to the show frames the story, which follows Tully, a part-time bartender, part-time singer, and full-time charmer who ends up falling in love and re-evaluating everything he knows.
Tully is played by a Philly-based award-winning actor and U of Arts grad, Matteo Scammell, who’s performed at the Walnut before for ‘Other Desert Cities’ and is also part of Wilma Theater’s acting ensemble, HotHouse. Amanda Robles, also a U of Arts grad will be acting alongside Scammell as Rachel in this production of Jimmy Buffett’s ‘Escape to Margaritaville’.
As mentioned before, the 22 ensemble production is helmed by Lisa Stevens. Stevens’ credits include ‘9 to 5 The Musical’ (in West End, London, UK, and Australian companies), ‘Anyone Can Whistle’ (Off-West End, London), and ‘The Little Prince’ (Theatre Calgary). The show ultimately was brought to life by Greg Garcia, known for a few syndicated comedies, including ‘Yes, Dear’, ‘My Name is Earl’, and ‘Raising Hope’, and Mike O’Malley, creator of the award-winning television series ‘Survivor’s Remorse and Shameless’.
Scenic Designer Brian Froonjian (who also worked on ‘Last of the Red Hot Lovers’, ‘Speckled Band’ and ‘Always…Patsy Cline’), serves as the Walnut’s technical director, and is head of the team that transformed the Walnut stage into a tropical paradise. Froonjian is joined by returning Lighting Designer Matthew DeMascolo (‘Cinderella’, ‘Always…Patsy Cline’, ‘Beehive’), and Wig and Makeup Designer Carissa Thorlakson (‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’, ‘Cinderella’, ‘Rocky’) who made sure the costumes matched the decor in terms of looking their tropical best.
Jimmy Buffet’s ‘Escape to Margaritaville’ begins March 28 and is now extended through April 30. Open captioning will be available for the Sunday, April 16, 7 p.m. performance. For tickets and information, call 215-574-3550. Tickets are also available online 24/7 by visiting WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com.
