Honest Review of Escape to Margaritaville on Broadway – Is It Worth Seeing?

The Broadway musical Escape to Margaritaville, featuring songs by American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, opened in March 2018.
Set in a tropical paradise, this upbeat Broadway comedy explores its story, highlights, and impressions below.

Escape to Margaritaville overview

This musical comedy is built around the songs of American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It follows Tully, who lives freely on a tropical island, and Rachel, a work-driven city professional. As their paths cross, the story explores questions of happiness, love, and what it means to live fully.

You can find a full synopsis and background on the detail page below.

• Escape to Margaritaville show details >>

Jimmy Buffett and his signature song “Margaritaville”

Jimmy Buffett, active since the 1970s, is known for his “island escapism” style, creating music that celebrates the dream of leaving everyday worries behind.

His 1977 hit Margaritaville became a cultural icon, inspiring sequels, spin-offs, and even a restaurant chain of the same name. It remains synonymous with Buffett’s laid-back coastal vibe.

Now playing at the Marquis Theatre

Escape to Margaritaville plays inside the Marquis Theatre, located within the Marriott Marquis Hotel at the corner of Broadway and 45th Street. The hotel has its own vehicle drop-off area, which makes taxi access very convenient.
A huge “Escape to Margaritaville” mural faces the street, making it an easy landmark for meeting before the show.

Marquis Theatre

The Marquis Theatre, part of the Marriott Marquis complex, opened in 1986 and is the second-newest venue on Broadway.

Enter the hotel lobby and take the large escalator up one level to reach the theater entrance, where staff dressed in colorful Hawaiian shirts welcome guests.

Address: 210 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036

See the detail page below for more about the theater’s history and design.

• Marquis Theatre detail page >>

Our seats this time

How to read ORCHO W 108:

Orchestra Odd = left-side orchestra, odd-numbered seats
Row W (23rd from the front), seat 108

Seat 108 is in the rear center orchestra. Higher numbers are closer to aisles, and lower numbers move toward the center.

Aisle seats are easier for restroom breaks, while center seats require patrons on the aisle seats to stand in order to pass.

Best seats for Escape to Margaritaville

A tropical island brought to life

Large palm trees and treehouses stand on both sides of the stage, creating the feeling that the ocean is right in front of you.

My seat was three rows from the back of the orchestra, so the stage felt a bit distant. The mezzanine slightly overhung the view, which made it difficult to catch every small expression from the cast. Sitting a little closer to the front would probably be better.

From farther back, however, the scene transitions were easier to follow, and the lighting beautifully conveyed the seasonal atmosphere, from warm summer days to cool winter nights. The way the cast interacted with the audience – singing together and filling the space with energy – made it feel more like a live concert than a traditional musical.

Watch the twin treehouses

The two treehouses on either side of the stage are used in many island scenes. Characters appear from them to talk or make phone calls, adding playful vertical movement.

The minimalist set design relies on timing and acting rather than frequent scene changes, allowing the performances and music to take center stage.

Signature drink: frozen margarita

Merch items include logo T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and caps, all in a relaxed surfer style that fits the tropical theme.

The bar inside the theater serves a must-try frozen margarita, a fun nod to the show’s title.

The spacious lobby is decorated with colorful hanging lanterns. Families, couples, and older theatergoers all seemed to enjoy the casual island vibe.

Post-show impressions

A feel-good reflection on life

The Marquis Theatre bursts with island spirit from the entrance. Staff in aloha shirts greet guests, and even on a cold winter day, you instantly feel like you’re on vacation.

The show reminds us how easily we set limits on ourselves, convincing ourselves what we must or mustn’t do. Through humor and music, it invites you to reconsider what happiness means without ever feeling heavy.

The cast delivers strong vocals. Alison Luff, who plays Rachel, once starred as Elphaba in Wicked, and her rich voice is stunning.

The casting reflects real diversity in body types, adding authenticity. Eric Peterson as Brick provides great comic relief. His tap and line dance sequence is one of the highlights.

A surprise guest at the finale

During curtain call, the only time photos are allowed, the crowd erupted as Jimmy Buffett himself appeared onstage with a guitar.

The entire audience jumped to their feet, cheering and clapping as he performed one of his songs with the cast. It was a joyful surprise and the perfect ending to a show that celebrates music, sunshine, and the freedom to live happily.

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