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Did you know that there was a Gilligan's Island musical starring Greg Brady?
Here's the story of a lovely three-hour tour.
Since Gilligan’s Island’s cancellation in 1967, there have been multiple attempts to revive the show with made-for-TV films and spinoffs, including The New Adventures of Gilligan and Gilligan’s Planet. However, none of these iterations were quite as ambitious as Gilligan’s Island, The Musical.
That’s right, in 2007, Gilligan’s Island: The Musical made its debut and ran for ten days at the Coral Springs Center. Those who went to see the musical would be greeted by a familiar face: Dawn Wells, originally known for her role as Mary Ann during the original series, was cast in the musical as Lovey Howell. Wells spoke with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel about the role, and said, “I thought it would be such an honor to play her.” Wells also spoke of the original Lovey Howell, Natalie Schafer. She said, “[She] was such a dear friend and such a wonderful woman, and very much like her character.”
Viewers may also already know the actor Wells was starring opposite. Barry Williams portrayed the role of Lovey’s husband, Thurston Howell, in the musical. Williams is, of course, known as Greg Brady in The Brady Bunch, another popular television series from the mind of creator Sherwood Schwartz.
Schwartz co-wrote the musical book with his son, Lloyd, while his daughter, Hope, and his son-in-law, Laurence Juber, composed the twenty-two songs featured in the musical. Of the many iterations and forms that Gilligan’s Island has taken throughout the years, Schwartz said, “Every time I think we’ve explored everything, something else comes up.”
Of the show’s longevity in fans’ minds, Wells explained, “It’s easily translatable — it’s slapstick — and there are no clothes or cars to date it, so it’s fresh to a new crop of kids everywhere.” Wells also commented on her return to the show that made her a star. She said, “Why sabotage something that’s been good to you? I’m greeted with love all over the world... The show is loved. I don’t understand having negativity about that.”
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Barry's character was named Dean Strickland.
