Guest blogger Danielle Marie Georgiou is a dance lecturer at the University of Texas Arlington. She also serves as assistant director of  UT Arlington’s Dance Ensemble.

Who will survive the three-hour tour?

Alas, poor Gilligan was missing as Level Ground Arts opened the regional premiere of Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical at the Dallas Hub Theater on Friday.

Framed as an annual viewing party amongst a misfit group of friends, this spoof of the 1972 cult classical The Poseidon Adventure, by David Cerda, attempts to mix the 1970s mentality of sexual freedom and exploration with modern allusions and, who can forget, songs!

However, the songs (which rip-off known favorites) and many of the jokes became tired old references of slapstick humor (i.e. men in drag and gay jokes). Yet, when they got it right, they got it right. Overcoming a slow start, it was full steam ahead when the boat capsized and everything got flipped upside down.

Co-Director Andi Allen’s turn as the slutty wife of a policeman is ridiculously hilarious, and she nails it with her ode to panties. Alexandra K. Buchen stole the show with her vapid but lovable Nonnie Parrie.

Mathew Butler’s Too-Tanned Lady was spot-on; Lon D. Barrera worked it in a skirt in Shelley Winters’ infamous role (Belle Rosen); and Jon Morehouse’s Indian Lady was a vision in yellow.

The passengers of the S.S. Poseidon. (Photo courtesy of the Dallas Hub Theater)

Jason Robert Villarreal embodied that little brother you just love to hate as Robin Shelby and Gregory Hullett’s Jim/Purser was endearing. His monologue during the second act clearly states the purpose of the play. The film was more than just a movie to these characters; it allowed them to form real friendships and get through the everyday trials of life.

Though it was nice to see such a large cast working so well together and involving the audience, the length of the play was hard to endure. As they say in the play, they’ll “never get to Broadway without some edits.”

Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical will be performed Fridays and Saturdays in June (through June 26) at the Dallas Hub Theater. To order tickets, call 1.877.238.5596 or visit levelgroundarts.com.