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Buffett is Producing Big Fish on Broadway Musical

March 25th, 2013


Jimmy Buffett is back in the musical game. Margaritaville.com announced today that he’s producing Big Fish, the musical adaptation of the 2003 film.

Big Fish is a rollicking fantasy set in the American South. Directed by 5-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (The Producers), the story centers on the charismatic Edward Bloom (whose impossible stories of his epic adventures frustrate his son Will). As Edward’s final chapter approaches, Will embarks on his own journey to find out who his father really is, revealing the man behind the myth, the truth from the tall tales.

Big Fish’s World Premiere Pre-Broadway Engagement is in Chicago at the Oriental Theatre from April 2nd to May 5th, then it lands in New York City on Broadway starting September 5th! Tickets and more information can be found at BigFishTheMusical.com.

This won’t be Buffett’s first foray into musicals. He adapted Herman Wouk’s novel “Don’t Stop the Carnival” for a musical in the late 90’s, but it only ran briefly in Miami and Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas.


Tagged in Business Empire

Buffett to Play Northerly Island in Chicago

March 21st, 2013


Jimmy Buffett will return to Chicago this summer but will play at the Charter One Pavilion on Northerly Island, the former site of Meigs Field.

Jimmy Buffett and Phish were confirmed Thursday to headline concerts in a newly expanded Charter One Pavilion on Northerly Island.

The facility, on the site of the former Meigs Field, will add 22,000 lawn seats and 600 fixed seats, for total capacity of 30,000.

Buffett is expected to play June 29 and Phish, according to their Web site, on July 19-21. Additional Northerly Island shows include Dispatch on June 1, O.A.R. on June 28, and Barenaked Ladies and Ben Folds on July 9. Buffett and Phish had previously played ampthitheaters and arenas during their regular summer visits to the Chicago area, including Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill., and Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wis. Only Buffett and Phish will use the expanded configuration of the facility.

No word yet on when tickets will go on sale.


Tagged in Tour Dates

Buffett and Wyndham Unveil Plans for Resort in St Thomas

March 19th, 2013


Jimmy Buffett was in St. Thomas on Friday to unveil plans for the first Margaritaville Vacation Club.

Buffett is partnering with Wyndham to open the 262-unit resort, located at the former Renaissance Grand Beach Resort in Smith Bay on St. Thomas.

The hotel property has been abandoned for years, and Wyndham plans to invest $90 million to transform it into the flagship Margaritaville Vacation Club by Wyndham property.

Friday’s reception took place at Penga, the Point Pleasant Resort restaurant that overlooks the site of the new Margaritaville resort.

Kicking off his flip-flops, Buffett picked up his guitar and sang three songs – “Boat Drinks,” which he said was inspired by a trip to St. Thomas; “Volcano”; and, of course, “Margaritaville” – to the small crowd as the sun began to set over Water Bay.

Buffett came to St. Thomas on his first sailboat in 1972, a boat he bought with the money he made from his first album. He lived on his boat at the old Sheraton Marina off and on for about a year, playing gigs in the area and making friends.

When the opportunity to bring his Margaritaville brand to the Virgin Islands arose, Buffet said, he jumped at the chance, seeing it as a perfect fit.

Buffett said the brand is about a lifestyle, and a way to connect with his fans – also known as “parrot heads.”

“We sell escapism,” he said. “They’ve been escaping through our music for so long, this is a real place on the beach, Margaritaville. It’s about appealing to the people who’ve been fans for so long.”

Buffett said he plans to buy the first four timeshare units at the resort so his musicians and crew can rotate through. Music will be a big part of the resort, with live acts playing regularly – maybe even Buffett himself.

Buffett currently lives on St. Barths and pilots his own seaplane, which he said would be very easy to land in Water Bay.

“You never know when I’m going to show up,” Buffett said, referring to the future resort.

Construction on the resort will begin in July. The first phase – which includes the main administration buildings, restaurant, common areas and the units by the pool – will take about 18 months to complete.

Read the full article.


Tagged in Business Empire, Margaritaville Hotel

Margaritaville Casino Coming to Tulsa

March 18th, 2013


New Margaritaville properties are sprouting up everywhere! Two weeks ago came the announcement of a Margaritaville resort in St. Thomas. The day before that, a Margaritaville restaurant opened in Cincinnati. Another restaurant looks to be in the works in the Pigeon Forge area, and now a Margaritaville Casino and restaurant in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Officials with the River Spirit Casino in Tulsa announced plans to build a 500-room hotel tower Monday, which they claim would bring Tulsa around 800 new permanent jobs and its construction nearly 2,000 more.

The casino’s expansion will feature a 22-story Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Casino and Restaurant, complete with its own spa, convention and meeting center and a handful of restaurants.

The facility will also hold some 750 electronic gaming devices and 20 table games within its projected 45,000 square feet of new gaming space, according to the casino.

Officials say the groundbreaking will begin in the fall, with plans to open the $250 million-facility by early 2015.

A press conference will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the River Spirit Event Center to officially announce the project.


Tagged in Business Empire, Casinos

Buffett Returning to Comerica Park

March 15th, 2013


Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band are returning to Comerica Park in Detroit on Saturday, July 20th, along with show opener Jackson Browne.

Last July marked Michigan’s largest single-night Buffett concert in history with a sold out crowd at Comerica Park.

Once again, Jimmy Buffett fans will be invited to soak-in the full Margaritaville experience with the return of the FREE downtown beach party for all to enjoy. Starting at noon, the day-long festivities will be located at the corner of Woodward and Montcalm on the north side of Comerica Park and feature a LandShark Lounge, a variety of island-inspired interactive games, tiki bars with frozen concoctions, liv entertainment and much, much more.

“Jimmy Buffett’s return to Comerica Park is an absolute highlight for Detroit’s summer concert roster,” said Tom Wilson, president and chief executive officer of Olympia Entertainment. “We’re ecstatic to welcome back Jimmy for another incredible evening under the open-air stadium stars along with Jackson Browne and to again transform downtown into the ultimate day-long paradise celebration for Detroit’s devoted Parrotheads.”

Tickets go on sale at Tickets.com on Saturday, March 23 at 10 a.m. and can also be purchased at the Comerica Park Box Office. To charge tickets by phone, call 866-66-TIGER. For additional information, call Olympia Entertainment at (313) 471-6611.


Tagged in Tickets, Tour Dates