Live Isle

It's nice when you can take what some would consider a silly and substandard television show and elevate its artistic value by taking it into the lofty realm of musical theater. As an aspiring writer of musicals myself, I was just tickled pink when I heard that Rover Dramawerks in Plano is presenting a production of the latest example of this phenomenon, Gilligan's Island: The Musical. No shit, it's really happening. And what's even more awesome is that the genius behind the original TV show, Sherwood Schwartz, co-wrote this musical bonanza, so you can rest assured that quality will just fall from the sky like a coconut conking The Skipper on the noggin. This production features a cast of talented local actors, but when this makes it to Broadway, I picture Jeff Goldblum as The Professor, Nathan Lane (obviously) as The Skipper, Jessica Simpson as Ginger, that chick from Juno as Mary Ann, Betty White as "Lovey," Robert Goulet as Thurston Howell III and, in a bold artistic choice, Robert Downey Jr. as Gilligan. Just think about it. Anyway, come take the best three-hour tour of your life at Rover Dramawerks, Thursday through June 28 (Thursdays through Saturdays) at Cox Building Playhouse, 1517 H Ave. in Plano. Tickets are $15 to $18. Visit roverdramawerks.com for info.
Thursdays-Saturdays. Starts: June 5. Continues through June 25, 2008