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If you liked 'Gilligan's Island,' you'll love this tropical treat

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The cast of 'Gilligan's Island: The Musical' during their finale on Thursday night. (Rochester Voice photo)

No, they don't look exactly like the original characters, and they're on a theater stage instead of a flickering black and white image on your old rabbit-eared portable TV.

But they've got the voices, the mannerisms and the je ne sais quoi (Ginger fans call it "the wow factor") to take you back to a time and place where laughs came a bit easier, life seemed more simple and every week Gilligan and Skipper and the rest of the gang brought a talented ensemble cast into our living rooms to make us laugh.

Thursday night was much the same, as "Gilligan's Island: The Musical" began its two-week run at the Rochester Opera House with a winning opening night, giving the audience all the sight gags and physical humor you've come to expect between Gilligan (Joshua Paul Moore) and the Skipper (Jamie Bradley), the hilarious lines of self-serving greed and avarice from Thirston Howell III (Tim Allen) and Lovey (Constance Witman), and of course, the oozing sex appeal from potential #metoo poster girl and Hollywood starlet Ginger (Shaughnessey Gower).

And then, of course, there's "the rest:" Mary Ann (Katelyn Parker) and The Professor (Michael Wingate Seavey), who both get credit for very strong performances last night, even if they didn't get opening credits the first season of the TV sitcom.

Make no mistake, the plot plays second fiddle in this play, which makes its own music on the talent of the actors in their re-creation of this magnificent seven. But we will tell you that it involves aliens from another galaxy who come to Earth because we're being bad as usual.

But just like in the show, even when he's not trying to, Gilligan saves the day and (spoiler alert) in this show, actually saves the planet!

Things to watch for: the physical humor as Skipper and Gilligan try to get comfortable in their hut's hanging hammocks, the Skipper's many facial contortions - spot on - and The Professor's and Ginger's strong vocals.

But then, you knew she had pipes!

And few snafus for an opening night, other than some sound malfunctions on mouth mics and a couple of physical "Oopsi Doodles."

Come to think of it, I also left wishing Skipper could have hit Gilligan with his cap just a wee bit harder.

Sorry, little buddy.

"Gilligan's Island: The Musical" runs through Feb. 4.

Go to http://www.rochesteroperahouse.com/ for tickets.

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