Comedy is improvised mashup of 'Gilligan's Island' and 'Lost'

The Funhouse Improvisers will present the premiere of its next pop culture-inspired improvised show “Stranded” weekends through Sept. 3.

What if the castaways from “Gilligan’s Island” were shipwrecked on the island from “Lost”? In each performance of “Stranded,” the rotating cast of improvisers will portray that iconic septet of castaways, exploring the island to find danger, mystery and comedy.

“The show preserves that fun, carefree spirit from the original ‘Gilligan’s Island’ while mixing in some of the darker moments in the style of ‘Lost,’ with its weird secrets and character flashbacks,” said director Mandy Khoshnevisan. “Both shows are essentially about complete strangers forced to live together in a strange place. Who knows who they are and what they’re really like?”

The Funhouse is familiar with paying homage to beloved popular culture on the improv stage, having previously created such shows as “Deadwood Unscripted”; “USS: Improvise,” a musical comedy by “Star Trek: The Next Generation”; and “Murder Mystery Machine,” a mashup of “Scooby Doo” and slasher films.

Performances are set for 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, through Sept. 3.

Tickets are $10 online at funhouselounge.com or $15 at the door. The Funhouse Lounge is located at 2432 S.E. 11th Ave. in Portland.

— The Review, Tidings