Set Sail For Laughter With GILLIGAN'S ISLAND - THE MUSICAL

Audiences at The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre will once again have the chance to see some of their favorite characters come to life on the stage as the theatre sets sail for laughter as it presents the area premiere of Gilligan's Island - The Musical.

Based on the iconic 60's TV comedy, seven castaways, shipwrecked on a remote Pacific island, build huts and begin to explore their surroundings. They discover strange hieroglyphics in a spooky cave, which speak of an ancient legend. The weather gets rough, Gilligan foils the best-laid of the castaway's rescue plans, romance develops, and the castaways have an out-of-this-world encounter! It's fun, wacky, and entertaining.

Originally created by legendary producer Sherwood Schwartz, Gilligan's Island began as a television series that spawned three TV movies, two cartoon series, and a reality show.

Airing for three seasons on CBS, from 1964 to 1967, Gilligan's Island ran for 98 episodes. An audience favorite during its run, the show only grew in popularity in the 70's and 80's through syndication. As for the characters themselves, they have become fixtures in America's entertainment culture. To this day, Bob Denver is still best known for playing the part of the clumsy first-mate, Gilligan. And who could ever forget Jim Backus and Natalie Schafer as the loveable, yet eccentric Howells? Not to mention Alan Hale as Skipper, Tina Louise as Ginger, Dawn Wells as Mary Ann, or Russell Johnson as the Professor.

In the early 90's, Schwartz, along with his son, Lloyd, developed Gilligan's Island for the stage. Following try-out productions in Los Angeles and Chicago, the show went on a national tour before a planned Off-Broadway arrival.

Stepping into the roles of the castaways for Way Off Broadway's production are Brandon Bedore, Alexis Krey as Ginger, Sarah Melinda as Mrs. Howell, Steve Steele as Mr. Howell, Jordan B. Stocksdale as the Skipper, Joseph Waeyaert as Gilligan, and Megan E. West as Mary Ann. Joining the cast is Patrick Ford, making a guest appearance as the interstellar alien the castaways come upon on the island.

Gilligan's Island - The Musical has music and lyrics by Hope and Laurence Juber and a book by Sherwood Schwartz and Lloyd J. Schwartz. Way Off Broadway's production is under the direction of the theatre's Executive Producer, Bill Kiska, with choreography by Dee Buchanan and music direction by Jordan B. Stocksdale.

Following the success of WOB's production of Happy Days - The Musical in 2017, the theatre's producers thought Gilligan's Island would be a fun addition to the 25th Anniversary Season. It's a show with a lot of laughs that will no doubt help to chase the winter blues away at the beginning of the year.

"We're all very excited about Gilligan's Island," says Justin M. Kiska, Way Off Broadway's President & Managing Director. "These are characters everyone knows and loves and now they're going to be on stage singing and dancing. It's a hilariously corny show for the cold winter months."

The show will run January 11th - March 9th with performances every Friday and Saturday evening and matinees on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sunday of each month. For evening performances, guests arrive for dinner at 6:00 p.m. with the show beginning at 8:00 p.m. For matinees, doors open at 12:30 p.m. for lunch with the show beginning at 2:15 p.m. Tickets for a Friday evening or Sunday matinee are $46; Saturday evenings, tickets are $50. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Box Office at (301) 662-6600.

Following Gilligan's Island - The Musical in the spring will be Lerner & Loewe's classic My Fair Lady and the international sensation Mamma Mia! in the summer.

To learn more about The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre or any of its productions, visit www.wayoffbroadway.com or www.Facebook.com/wayoffbroadway.

The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, under the direction of the Kiska family since 2002, is proud to be celebrating its 25th Silver Anniversary Season! Since it first opened in 1995, the theatre has been a leader in the area's theatre community, proudly bringing both classic musicals, as well as regional and area premieres to the Frederick stage. Productions have included Disney's Beauty & the Beast, Sister Act, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Monty Python's Spamalot, Noises Off, The Addams Family, Les Misérables, Sunset Boulevard, Legally Blonde, Dolly Parton's 9 to 5: The Musical, Hairspray, South Pacific, The Drowsy Chaperone, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Full Monty, Mel Brooks' The Producers, CATS, The Wedding Singer, Evita, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Grease, La Cage aux Folles, Guys & Dolls, Steel Magnolias, Annie, Bye Bye, Birdie, The King & I, ...Forum, Lend Me a Tenor, Joseph..., Blood Brothers, Mame, and 42nd Street. In addition to its regular season, the theatre produces a number of special events throughout the year including an annual Breakfast with Santa (and Mrs. Claus) and an interactive mysteries series. www.wayoffbroadway.com

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