Escape to Margaritaville Review: Even a Shaker of Salt Can’t Save This One

For the show’s investors, it may not matter that Escape to Margaritaville isn’t very good. It blends the greatest hits of Jimmy Buffett, a set of cheery cardboard characters, and a simple—if occasionally demented—plot into a concoction syrupy enough to taste sort of like a Broadway show. But like the worst versions of its namesake beverage, it’s too watered-down to be much fun.

The production is the first in a coming onslaught of shows gambling on the songs of pop acts: In 2018, Broadway is set to stage music from the likes of Cher, the Go-Gos, and Donna Summer. The producers behind each hope to replicate the success of Mamma Mia!—which grossed $625 million in New York and was spun into the most successful movie musical ever—and Jersey Boys, which has made more than $2 billion worldwide.