By Melinda Miller

What is there to enjoy about “Shipwrecked!” now onstage from Road Less Traveled Productions? Let us count its charms.

Starting at the beginning, there is the delightfully thorough title of Donald Marguiles’ play: “Shipwrecked! An Entertainment – The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (As Told by Himself).”

It is indeed an entertainment and the tales of adventure are quite amazing, even incredible, as it turns out. Also, though “Himself” was unavailable, Louis having died in 1921, we do have the pleasure of a remarkably suitable replacement in Gregory Gjurich.

Secondly, Gjurich is handsomely believable as de Rougemont, a real fellow who became famous as the survivor of a Victorian Era shipwreck in the South Seas. Of course, we do want to believe him, since he can barely contain his own enthusiasm while relating his tales of whirlpools, exotic creatures and indigenous encounters.

Third, there is Dyan Burlingame’s cleverly contrived set, imitative of a cozy 1880s London music hall, complete with two-dimensional props, flickering footlights and flare-horned phonograph.

Third ½: Paired with the set is one of RLTP’s signature program inserts, designed to add depth to whatever is about to unfold. Unfolding this particular insert, we find an engaging “History of the Toy Theater,” a popular paper-doll-like pastime in the 19^th century that inspired some of the stagecraft here — something old that was new to me.

Fourth and Fifth: Jeremy Kreuzer and Gabriella McKinley, who define versatility as de Rougemont’s hardworking assistants, make his fantastical narrative come to life. They sail ships, walk on stilts, get tossed from pubs and attacked by sea monsters, when they aren’t being the sea monsters. At one surrealistic point, with lovely lighting by John Rickus, they become the deep and beautiful ocean.

All incarnations are testaments to their talents, but my absolute favorite is Kreuzer as Bruno, the ship’s dog. He is such a good boy!

And, finally, there is the action itself. Told in a fast 90 minutes without intermission, the story comes together with split-second timing, overseen by director John Hurley and tightly executed.

In a way, “Shipwrecked!” is like a window into another time, when an evening might be spent attending a lecture to chill, and a life might be spent following one’s dreams.

Or, at least, dreaming them.

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“Shipwrecked! (etc)” continues through Oct. 13 at the Road Less Traveled Theater, 456 Main St. Shows are Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets (including fees) are $57.50; $32.50 for students, at roadlesstraveledproductions.org.