I had a post already written, scheduled to publish this morning.
But then I found out that the show is closing July 1st.
I have so many thoughts about this news. It’s devastating for the cast and crew and creatives and the producers. Jimmy cried as he spoke to the cast yesterday. The producers cried. And, of course, everyone sitting in the theater that has worked so long and so hard on this joyful show cried.
I have thoughts about the snobbishness and pretentiousness of some critics who work for major newspapers and of the New York City theatrical community as represented by the ever cliquish Tony Awards. A lot of those thoughts use a word that starts with an f, has a k in the middle, and ends with s. And make no mistake, the attack on the show by some critics who apparently felt that Jimmy Buffett had no business on Broadway, a cruel, personal attack, helped to speed the early closing. I have a great deal of anger about that, but anger isn’t healthy, so it’s up to me to work through it.
I’ve worked in the theater for over 40 years and I’m disillusioned and fed up with it.
I have thoughts about the heartbreak so many are feeling today, people I have come to know and respect and care for. I have never encountered a more loving, nicer, kinder group of people. They deserve better.
I have thoughts about a show that is consistently referred to as a ‘joyous experience’ with people coming back 3 or 4 times because they love it so much. Many of them had never seen a Broadway show until this one. Our friends who saw it a couple of weeks ago said it was the happiest theatrical experience they’d ever had. And he’s an actor. Again and again, people come up to Don to say how much they love the show and how much we need this kind of experience right now.
We’ve saved some money, but the show hasn’t been running long enough to save a lot. At least Stella is paid off. But plans we had for the future, plans that hinged on having a little extra money for the first time in a long time, will have to be shelved – at least for the time being.
And I have thoughts about my husband, who has loved every minute of this experience and who is devastated that it’s closing. I have fierce, protective thoughts about that. He brings joy to every audience member, every performance. He deserves better. He is a ray of light and love. He deserves better.
Yes, there will be a national tour next year. It doesn’t start until October 2019. And it will do extremely well on tour because that’s where Jimmy’s fans are. No, we have no idea who will be involved or who will be cast. And it’s too far off to even consider.
I’m going to take a few days off, my friends. My heart is heavy and my sister is coming and I want to focus on her and our weekend together. At least she’s getting to see the show. I’m so grateful for that.
I’ll see you again on Monday.
Oh, Claudia, I’m so sorry this happened. I really thought theatre-goers , and Buffet fans, of which there are millions! would just ignore the critics and go to the show because it’s enjoyable, and who cares? I never once thought the critics could hurt this show. Look at Jersey Boys, after all. Anyway, again, I’m so sorry for you, Don, and all involved; It really sucks.
I’m so sad for you and Don and all involved in the show, Claudia. Please know that all of us, your faithful readers, your blogging friends feel your hurt today and hold you dear in our hearts. X Chy
I’m so sorry Claudia. You and Don are in my thoughts and prayers.
I just can’t say how sad this makes me—sad for you and for Don, sad for the great cast and crew, and sad for every person who never got the chance to see it. A whole lot of joy has left the building today. It will take some time to get my head around this, as I’m sure is the case for you guys, too. Hugs from us.
Oh…I am so sorry to hear this sad news. I knew what the critics thought…but, I was so sure Escape would continue for quite a while, based on how much the fans were enjoying it. This is so disappointing.
I sincerely hope you have a wonderful weekend with Meredith. Sending hugs! ;)
You and Don are the perfect, loving married couple. Try to look for the silver lining in the show closing. Now, you and Don will have more quality and quantity time together. My prayers are with you and Don and all the cast members. Try not to worry too much and take the time to enjoy your cottage and garden this summer WITH Don. Time apart can never be recovered but time together makes memories for the future.
Truly sorry to hear this- had hoped to have the opportunity to fly over the pond and see the show myself
This too shall pass, but the joy that Don and the cast gave to their audience will continue
Take care of you
Siobhan x
oh …. cuss!!!
i am very sad for you and don, jimmy, the other cast and crew members and everyone who hoped to see “escape to margaritaville” on broadway (including me).
it sickens my stomach when i think of how some (especially public) people’s opinions can change other people’s lives in very hard ways … when all it is is an opinion, something that is not necessarily shared by anyone else and might be influenced (in this case) by a theater critic’s ideas about what is trendy or “worthy” of a tony award or by their own lack of joy/ missing sense of humor or who-knows-what. argh!
i am grateful that you and don have had the experiences and money you’ve had as a result of “etm” and (if you didn’t already) come to love jimmy and his music. i am glad that you and your sister can see the show together this weekend. i am grateful that my sister and i were able to enjoy “etm” in chicago. and i hope we will be able to see “etm” on tour somewhere in the next few months. thought it’s often not easy for me, i try to live by the adage “don’t cry because it’s over. smile because it happened.” but today i am sad for you and don, jimmy … and would like to have a few words with the snobs.
i know the rain and now this news might put a damper on things, but hope you three have a wonderful weekend together.
xo,
kathy in iowa
ps: if you and don want him to go on tour, i hope and pray that happens for you.
I am so very sorry.
How disappointing. Friends of ours just got back from a theater trip to New York, and said Margaritaville was the highlight of the trip. They really enjoyed it.
I’m sorry to hear about the show closing, after so much of everyone’s blood, sweat and tears were put into it, and it had so many fans.
Since you’ve been in the business for so long, I’m wondering if it has changed over the years. Do you think the “personal” reviews that you felt were aimed at Jimmy Buffet would have not happened years ago? Or has it always been a “clique” mentality?
I really hope you enjoy your weekend in the city with your sister and husband – no one better to be with right now.
Claudia, what very sad news of the show’s closure. Hope you can still enjoy your sister’s visit this weekend.
I saw this news yesterday and my heart dropped! Snobs! I am so sad as I was hoping this would be my first Broadway Show. Hang in there. I know Don and the whole cast, crew,jimmy and producers are heartbroken. What a loss for Broadway. We need real fun entertainment in this world right now. I agree the tour of this show will be a huge hit. Try to enjoy this weekend with Meredith. Hugs!
Such sad news for you and Don, NYC, the actors and crew, and all of the people who had intentions to see the show. I am happy I had an opportunity to see that small snippet they showed on the Today show. Please try to have a happy weekend with your sister.
So sad to read about the closing. Chin up and enjoy being with your sister.
Connie
Unbelievably sad. Critics criticize. I think many of them think that is their only function.
On TV, many times “the masses” can convince the powers that be, that their decision to cancel isn’t the right decision. Does that ever happen with a live show? I have always heard a bit of a catch in your words as you talked about ETM ~~ seeing and experiencing the joy in the music and the production, but also knowing first hand the snobbery which exists on that level. Sad when joy is stepped upon for no apparent reason. And WHO doesn’t truly like Jimmy Buffet after hearing him in an interview ~ and smile for a bit after hearing him? Again, simple joyfulness seems to be missing in our lives today. So very sad. ♡
So sorry to hear the shocking news. I am glad there will be a national tour and I hope Don will be part of it – if that is what you want.
So wrong. Hugs to both of you.
What a blow! I’m so sorry.
Dear Claudia, I keep getting the feeling ,that everything we get our hands on to help us through the really bad times, is just grabbed away from us. By, ignorant ,malicious,egomaniac,Narcissistic
Clowns. You take what time you need, and remember “This Too Shall Pass”
My Thoughts of Love,and Prayers of comfort, are with you . Until you once again can Stand on
your own.
* You, Your,= all of you hurt by this. -Judy A
That is such sad news for both you and Don. I am glad that he had the wonderful experience of being in the show and all the months of camaraderie and fun while preparing. Take care.
no words. it feels like being kicked in the stomach.
I’ve read every comment.
we all feel the same.
why would anyone take away joy ? especially now.
maybe critics used to be necessary.
NOT ANYMORE! let people make up their own minds.
to me that are like the electoral college. superfluous and dangerous.
sending you ALL and those who love you in the show … LOVE. xo
I echo every commenters sentiments, Claudia. I feel so badly for Don, and for you because you are so supportive of Don. I’m glad you’ll be able to attend with Meredith, though. Giving you a huge virtual hug!
Dear Claudia ,
Such a let down, and such a tremendous disappointment for you and Don,as well as all affected. The disillusionment does hurt in so many ways.. I am sorry and hope your downtime and time with Don and Meredith will help see you through at least the initial shock as you begin to process this. Sending you hugs and love as you come to terms with this change of course.
Hi! My name is Laura and I have been following your blog for about four years. I do not have a blog but fell in love with your and Dons creativity and the ability to live vicariously through your explorations. Right up there was the creation of a Broadway Show !! A thirty year dream was realized when I finally was able to go to New York May25 too May29th.I saw Margaritaville on Sunday and it was wonderful!!!The audience were enjoying all of it.I don’t understand how the power that be could not see extending the run through summer… I hope you and Don will trip over new plans as you have in the past and no more time apart( there is always an up side). PS were we suppose to keep a beach ball if it landed on us? My friend didn’t think so…..so mine went back into the crowd(sob).
Laura, we did the same thing. Now I wish we’d kept it!
I am so sorry that the show is closing. I can not imagine how hard this must be for you and Don.
Sounds like the critics did not actually talk to anyone who went to see the show. That is sad, they might have had a blockbuster. We feel for both of you and glad to read your blog without critics and producers getting in the way.
I am so disappointed for Don, you, Jimmy, the producers, cast, families and everyone associated with the Show. So many lives have been affected due to narrow-minded
theatre critics. My heart goes out to all of you.
Claudia and Don – I am so sorry about this turn of events. What a high you have been on with this show and hope for it’s future. Truly life changes in an instant. Enjoy the last month of NYC and the show and all the people you’ve met. When one door closes, another opens. Wishing you both all the best.
Oh no! Such terrible news. This makes my heart hurt for everyone involved … but most of all for you and Don. Enjoy the time with your sister, you deserve a few days off.
Dear Claudia, life can be so unfair and disappointing sometimes can’t it? Take time to adjust to this roller coaster life you and Don have been on. You are both resilient and will bounce back but til then be gentle with yourselves. The show was a success if it brought happiness and escape from this crazy world to only one person and it certainly did more than that. Talent comes in many forms and the kind that brings a smile to your face will always out weigh what any critic says. Your Don did that for sure. Take care of yourselves and we will all be here on your return.
I am so, so sad and sorry. Prayers of support and love for you, Don and everyone involved.
Melanie M.
I don’t know anything about East Coast/NYC theater critics/Broadway stage, etc. Must be very upsetting. Hard to not almost take it personally. I bet it wasn’t the easiest phone call from Don. Awfully sorry to hear of the show closing; sure thought it would have a longer run. It seems like a long period, to go from July 1, 2018 to Oct of 2019 before a tour starts. They’d sure have to, I assume, have a lot of rehearsals to get back in the groove.
I guess you maybe have to put your mind back to where it was before Don ever knew he’d get a Broadway run much less even the start in La Jolla. You had gotten the inheritance from your father, were planning the trip to England and I think France. It seemed like you were getting pretty excited about showing Don the city lights & sights of Paris, if I recall, because he’d never been there. So maybe that’s the next thing you two can focus on, getting back to that sort of happy planning but, I know from growing up in a household of self-employment, and then being married to a freelancer for a lot of my adult life, it’s always a bit uncertain of when/what/where will be the next paycheck – – only diff being now, that we’re at retirement age and at least have (hope it lasts) the supplemental income of Social Security which we sure could have used in our younger years when things got tight.
One of my #1 worries is always if we can make our monthly mortgage payment. It’s this roll-around-in-the-head thing of, should we move, should we not move; maybe we should just forget home ownership altogether and just rent an apartment again; it’s like this reel playing over and over again in my brain, but I’m doing the one thing I never said I’d do, which is to take a mortgage payment into retirement and the ‘elderly’-age years. I saw my parents go thru their life’s ‘fortune’ with their elder care/medical problems in the last five years of their lives (in their 80s) and their home had long since been paid for – – but my husband refuses to make any decisions about this until he’s actually fully retired and can just sort of see how he settles into things whereas I know other people who are poised for action/change from the day they retire. Saw a lady just recently, darling cottage-y home I’ve always admired, up For Sale, and I stopped the car and said, “Oh no, you’re moving?” And the homeowner said, “Yep, time to retire.” Wish I’d asked more questions.
Maybe somebody has their eye on Don. It was a great character-actor/role for him and he’d get recognized on the street; he’s a ‘known’ entity, right? Mr. Robot? I remember seeing him in “The Good Wife” on TV. Has a lengthy resume; done lots of good work. Somebody else will want him again soon; he was a working actor before Margaritaville ever happened. In the meantime, it’ll give him (the time off between jobs) a chance to mend/rest the sore legs you’ve mentioned.
Wow, though, take “June” advantage of the perk of that nice (paid) apartment, and the community garden, and shopping in NYC, for sure! You’ve got 3-4 weeks to get your fill before it’s gone. Has been a great experience.
All things seem to happen for a reason…one thing we can count on in life is that it will change…I’ve had to scrap big, life-altering plans too many times and sometimes it’s hard to move forward and not obsess/have regrets over it, but I know you and Don won’t do that because you have all kinds of things to look forward to!
I read this about the show, in the Hollywood Reporter; maybe/hopeful??? “It’s still possible also that the production might secure a performance slot on the Tonys telecast June 10, as other non-nominated shows have in recent years, which could provide a shot in the arm in its final weeks at the Marquis, in addition to serving as an advance promo for the tour.”
And this was in Deadline Hollywood: “July won’t be entirely Buffett-less, though: Buffett himself will appear with the Broadway cast on PBS’ live broadcast of A Capitol Fourth from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., on Wednesday, July 4 (8-9:30 pm ET).” I’m happy to hear this; for those of us who didn’t get to see the production, at least we can get a taste of it soon on TV.
But I still feel bad. I’m so sorry, Claudia. It’s a big disappointment. And Don has been wrapped up in this for like, what, a year and a half, from when the production/planning was in its infancy. It will be an adjustment but you’ll get through it. It’ll take him a while to come down off all that and settle back into life at Mockingbird Hill. But what a nice place to come home to!
Oh dear. I deliberately didn’t read anything written about “Escape” and figured because you didn’t comment on what they said either, that overall their views must not have been overwhelmingly positive. Boo-hiss. I wonder who first had the idea of having arts critics? And why exactly? Beauty IS in the eye of the beholder – that’s an unmistakable truth. So why are some people allowed to announce THEIR views to the world? And why does the world – in large part – care what they say? I don’t get it. In most cases, these people are NOT experts. They don’t create any of the arts they criticize. They don’t know any more about painting or sculpture or literature or theater or filmmaking etc, than I do. Oh well, I’m not going to be able to do away with them by ranting. But it still feels good to rant. Try to forget about it all for a few days while your sister’s here. Maybe math will help. Zillions of shows don’t get as far as “Escape” did – so that’s something. And only a handful go on to be legends like “Phantom of the Opera” or “Life with Father” or “A Chorus Line” too. So “Escape” did pretty well overall. And as you said, the national tour is still on, so who knows? Peace.
#Resist
#ProtectMueller
I am so sorry for your loss. You both must be heartbroken. I guess I just don’t understand why it would close. Who makes those decisions? Too bad you found out right before Meredith came. I was seriously thinking of going to New York just to see it.
Sending you warm thoughts while you grieve.
Hi to Meredith.
Kay
Hi, I just heard–I’m so sorry. We’re thinking of you and Don, and sending good vibes.
I’m so sorry to hear this sad news! You have every right to be upset about the rug being yanked out from underneath the cast & crew!
I always tell myself being angry or non-forgiven of someone … Is like drinking poison & expecting the other guy to die! It only harms you in the long run. However, you ALL deserve a moment in an attempt to take in this devastating news you’ve been stricken. Trust me when I say, ” There’s always a positive within a negative.” Sometimes we just have to look a little harder, but it’s there.
Please enjoy your time with your sister & her family. We’ll all be right here waiting for your return in an effort to uplift you anyway we can.
– xo
– A.
Take as long as you need to grieve hopes that won’t be fulfilled. I’m so glad that your sister is coming as her presence might be comfort to you right now.
Claudia and Don – I am so sad in a very selfish way. Tiff and I were coming to NYC in mid July to attend a wedding she is in in Boston. But, we were going to spend a couple of days in NYC and first on my list was to get to go see the show. I am so disappointed!!
Have a good time with family this weekend.
Judy
Claudia, I am so sorry that the show is ending. I feel so sad. it hurt me and got me teary eyed. Things at times can seem so unfair and prejudice. There should be all kinds of shows on Broadway for variety. Just because a critic does not like one show that does not mean they are in the majority. I will keep Don and the others in my thoughts for good things and opportunities in the near future. Enjoy your visit with your sister.
Marilyn
Claudia, I am in shock myself. After all the publicity on television news shows, this is not what I would have expected. Hugs to you and Don. So sorry. Bless you, xoxo, Susie
You need Lin-Manuel Miranda to tweet it’s one of his favorite Broadway shows. Hey, it worked for Brooklyn 99. More seriously though, this show has legs, just not on Broadway — which is so expensive anyway, it’s become like a night at the opera. I hope Don gets picked up for another gig soon!
How awful, Claudia. I join everyone else is wishing you and Don the best.
I am so sorry to hear that the show is closing. But I know that you and Don have a very bright future to prepare for and enjoy. I am so excited to see what this big, wonderful world has in store for both of you! Hugs and kisses.
I have a ache in my heart for you and Don…I’m sending hugs to you both…I don’t know what else to say except I love and respect you both so much…I can only imagine what Don is feeling…he is such a good man…Take care of each other…I’m so glad Mere will be with you this weekend…
That sucks so bad for everyone involved. I’m sorry. It’s a shame that our world has come to a place like this where the words of someone like that carry any kind of weight, no matter what the majority of the audience/viewers positively think about it. I would think that the sold out shows would out-weigh those negative views/comments. I personally feel that when one door closes another one opens. Usually for the better. I hope that’s the case with y’all.
This makes me sad. I’m so sorry, Claudia.
Just wanted to express my gratitude that you and Don have shared this amazing experience.
I’m so sorry it ended sooner than expected — for you, Don, Jimmy and the entire cast and crew.
I feel this almost personally…so sad and mad. Critics, boo. We need happy these days. All we hear is negative. I thought you would have a long time of security ahead.
I am sad and so sorry..my friend.
I am so sorry too. It sounded like such a fun and uplifting show! No wonder you’re angry.