Monday, June 2, 2008

Rover Dramawerks opens regional premiere of Gilligan’s Island: The Musical this week

By Pegasus News wire

Rover Dramawerks will present the regional premiere of Gilligan's Island: the Musical from June 5-28, 2008, with shows on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., with an additional matinee performance on Saturday, June 14 at 2:00 p.m.

Sherwood Schwartz, the original creator of the successful Gilligan's Island TV series, co-authored the book with his son and long-time collaborator Lloyd J. Schwartz, with music and lyrics by Sherwood Schwartz's daughter and son-in-law, Hope Juber and Laurence Juber (best known as a guitarist with Paul McCartney's group Wings).

Based on the beloved TV series, a small touring boat has been shipwrecked on a desert island, with Gilligan, the Skipper, too, the Millionaire and his Wife, the Movie Star, the Professor, and Mary Ann...and an Alien/Headhunter. As always, Gilligan manages to bungle every chance of rescue.

The show stars Coby Cathey, Michael McNiel, Donald C. Cook, Nancy Lamb, Heather Hill, Corey Whaley, Heather McCormick, and Zachary Haber. Rover Artistic Director Carol M. Rice will helm the "tale of a fateful trip," with musical direction by Patsy Sadowski and choreography by Nancy Slater Roberts. Robin Coulonge acts as Assistant Director/Stage Manager and properties designer. Set design is by Clint Alan Ray, with costumes by Paula Wood. Michael Rathbun is lighting designer, Blake Minor is sound designer, and Ande Bewley is light and sound board operator.

Join Rover Dramawerks on the June 7 performance for a costume contest. Come in dressed as your favorite Gilligan's Island character and pay only $10 for a ticket. "Celebrity judges" including Plano Mayor Pat Evans, The Column's John Garcia and MBS Productions' Mark-Brian Sonna will award prizes, serious and less so, to deserving contestants..

Thursday, June 5 is preview night, and all seats are pay-what-you-can. Tickets for the rest of the run can be purchased online or by calling 972-849-0358.

Posted by Shawn

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