Feeling a little wasted away, looking for an escape?
Legendary singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett believes a lot of people are.
He was in town last week promoting the musical premiere of “Escape to Margaritaville,” now staging at the La Jolla Playhouse through July 9.
The show features both original songs and beloved Buffett classics in the story of a part-time bartender, part-time singer, and full-time charmer named Tully who thinks he’s got life all figured out until a beautiful tourist steals his heart and makes him question everything.
Buffett, who has worked on the musical for several years but doesn’t have a role onstage, told KPBS that the show is a reflection of his life.
“There’s a lot of it that I made up, and a lot of it that I lived,” he said. “So that emotion comes running through there — the events that led to certain lyrics that were written about real people.”
Buffett, 70, has recorded dozens of albums and continues to perform around the world, but San Diego was picked for the “Escape to Margaritaville” premier.
Maybe the local demographics suggested an abundance of Parrotheads and beach hedonists?
Buffett said he is just grateful for the audience.
“I’ve always loved this part of the country and worked here,” Buffett said. “We have a very loyal audience in San Diego and North County, so what better place to do it.”
–Staff