CCP’s ‘Escape to Margaritaville’ on tap to warm Mid-Missouri’s winter

"Tammy" played by Natalie Bessette and "Brick" played by Joe Collins rock the house with "Cheeseburger in Paradise" in CCP's production of "Escape to Margaritaville."  (Ken Barnes/News Tribune)
"Tammy" played by Natalie Bessette and "Brick" played by Joe Collins rock the house with "Cheeseburger in Paradise" in CCP's production of "Escape to Margaritaville." (Ken Barnes/News Tribune)


The bitter winter is sure to be forgotten during Capital City Production's latest musical, "Escape to Margaritaville."

This new jukebox musical follows the flirtatious Tully, a bartender and singer who spends his days seducing the women who visit the tropical island of Margaritaville.

Tully prides himself in the ability to charm his way out of any tight fix he finds himself in -- until a lone, career-oriented female vacationer finds her way into his life.

Finding her cold and distant, Tully is faced with an unfamiliar question: Will he ever win her heart?

"The writers on the show actually did a phenomenal job at creating really great characters with a really good story for the show," co-director T.J. Richardson said.

CCP is the first regional theater in the nation to get the rights for this new jukebox musical since the end of its tour on Broadway.

"It has comedy, it has heart, it has big show numbers. There's a tap number in it and we have some big special effects as part of the show, so it's just a real feel-good singalong musical," Richardson said.

Filled with crowd-favorite Jimmy Buffet songs such as "Volcano," "Cheeseburger in Paradise," and "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," Richardson claims: "Anyone who loves Jimmy Buffet's music, they'll love the show."

This is the first time directing at CCP for Richardson and co-director Kevin Mauk, but it doesn't appear that it will be their last. They are looking ahead at the 2024 CCP season in hopes of finding another production to direct in the future.

"We are loving it," Richardson said. "This community theater has so much talent from the Jefferson City, lake area and Columbia area. They really do put community in community theater here at Capital City Productions and strive for Broadway quality shows."

Area actors were excited to be a part of this new, lively musical. According to Richardson, the turnout for the auditions was "tremendous."

The singing bartender, Tully, is played by Adam Shields, with the role of vacationer Rachel being fulfilled by Emily Roberts. Starring beside them is Natalie Bessette as Tammy, Rachel's loyal friend.

Joe Collins, a new actor from out of state, will be joining the familiar CCP faces for "Escape to Margaritaville" to portray Brick, another island bartender.

After narrowing down the actors, the directors still ended up with a large cast that totals around 30 members.

"Escape to Margaritaville" opens Feb. 9 and runs Feb. 10, 11, 16, 17, and 18.

This is a dinner buffet show, but show-only tickets are also available.

The buffet starts at 6:30 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. performances and noon for the 1 p.m. matinee shows.

Tickets are $45 for dinner and the show and $25 for show-only.

According to Richardson, the show is selling out quickly. He encourages people who wish to get seats together to purchase their tickets soon.

"As of today, we're between 60 and 70 percent already sold out for the show," Richardson said.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to ccpjc.org or call their Jefferson Bank CCP Box Office at (573) 681-9612.

  photo  Natalie Bessette "Tammy" gets her "Cheeseburger in Paradise" in the CCP production of "Escape to Margaritaville." (Ken Barnes/News Tribune)
 
 
  photo  Natalie Bessette "Tammy" longs for a "Cheeseburger in Paradise" in the CCP production of "Escape to Margaritaville." (Ken Barnes/News Tribune)
 
 
  photo  Jefferson Wilkerson "JD" and DaMia Day "Marley" share a moment in CCP's production of "Escape to Margaritaville." (Ken Barnes/News Tribune)
 
 
  photo  Joe Collins taps his way across the stage the CCP production of "Escape to Margaritaville." (Ken Barnes/News Tribune)
 
 
  photo  "Brick" played by Joe Collins gets some sense slapped into him by "Tully" played by Adam Shields in the CCP production of "Escape to Margaritaville." (Ken Barnes/News Tribune)