Sarah Frances Williams as Mae, Christian Montgomery as Prez, Helena Farhi as Babe, Drew Stairs as Sid. Photo courtesy of Montgomery College.
Some college students this summer are taking “Multivariable Calculus,” “Organic Chemistry,” or even a course called (I kid you not) “How to Watch Movies.” Luckily for these talented college students (and the appreciative audience), they chose to be a part of Montgomery College’s Summer Dinner Theatre program. Now in its 36th season, they are currently performing The Pajama Game and later this summer, The Wiz.
’The Pajama Game’ is worth getting out of bed, changing out of your pajamas, and dressing up to attend the Montgomery College Summer Dinner Theatre’s wonderful production!
Opening on Broadway in 1954, The Pajama Game was originally directed by George Abbott and Jerome Robbins and featured choreography by new comer Bob Fosse. This musical would go on to win 3 Tony’s in 1955, including Best Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical (Carol Haney), and Best Choreography. Proving that this musical is a classic, The Pajama Game went on to win Best Revival of a Musical at the 2006 Tony Awards. In his Broadway acting debut it starred Harry Connick, Jr. as Sid and was choreographed and directed by Kathleen Marshall.
Drew Stairs as Sid and Helena Farhi as Babe. Photo courtesy of Montgomery College.
The Pajama Game takes place in 1954 in a small town in the Midwest. Sid Sorokin (Drew Stairs) is the new superintendent at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory where union workers, led by Prez (Christian Montgomery), are seeking a wage raise of seven and a half cents an hour. More than money is at stake for Catherine “Babe” Williams (Helena Farhi), the leader of the Union Grievance Committee, is falling in love with Sid whose loyalty is first to his boss Myron “Old Man” Hasler (Kieran Duffy), the strict and short head of the pajama factory who is always drinking a bottle of cola with of a straw.
Directed by Jay D. Brock, the show opens with the workers sewing in the factory workroom to the music of the “Overture.” It is an interesting concept, but doesn’t work here since the action doesn’t fit the music. What does fit in the scene are the colorful costumes by Peter Zakuntansky and the scenic design by Elizabeth Jenkins McFadden. In the creation of the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory, McFadden designed factory windows with rectangular glass panels, each a different color. The sewing machines used were also period, adding to the authenticity of the production.
The music and lyrics are by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. It is interesting to note, however that two of the songs are written by Frank Loesser, although his contribution is uncredited. One of those songs, “A New Town is a Blue Town” is performed with a nice Broadway sound by Drew Stairs in his role as Sid. His romantic interest Helena Farhi as “Babe” brought a smile to my face during the song “I’m Not At All in Love” where she claims that she has rejected his love, but the factory workers know the truth. The music to that song has a nice beat and the lyrics are funny. A cute bit is the part when “Babe” sings the lyrics, “When I fall in love there will be no doubt about it. People will know from the way that I SHOUT IT!” With a whisper, the factory workers say, “You’re shouting.”
JohnPaul “JP” Sisneros as Hines and Allie O’Donnell as Mabel. Photo courtesy of Montgomery College.
By the second act, the orchestra led by N. Thomas Pedersen was hot enough for the song “Steam Heat” where Mae, Prez, and Pals demonstrated their conviction over getting their wage raise of seven and a half cents an hour. The trumpets (Andrew Leech and Eric Chandler) get to show off a couple of nice licks while Jared Cazel on the Bass really jazzes things up. Mae (Sarah Frances Williams), Prez (Christian Montgomery), and Pals danced their hearts out to Christen Svingos’ stylish choreography. Adding to the mood are the eye-catching lights designed by Lynn Joslin.
Three other songs to be on the look out for are the catchy tunes “Hey There” performed by Drew Stairs and Helena Farhi, “Hernando’s Hideaway” performed by Kylie C. Smith as Gladys, and “Think of the Time I Save” performed by JacobPaul “JP” Sisneros as Vernon Hines, the factory timekeeper and the Girls.
I attended the opening night of The Pajama Game and things like the clock set piece not working properly and an overly long intermission made for a long evening, but it was nothing to loose sleep over and I’m sure that those issues have ironed out by now. Jay D. Brock is to be commended for bringing out the best out of all of those around him, especially the marvelous performers. Attending a Montgomery College Summer Dinner Theatre production has been on my “to do” list for three years in a row and I look forward to seeing many more productions including The Wiz which runs Jul 12 through 28th. All of the shows include an enjoyable dinner buffet with dessert served by members of the cast.
Overall, The Pajama Game is worth getting out of bed, changing out of your pajamas, and dressing up to attend the Montgomery College Summer Dinner Theatre’s wonderful production!
Running Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes with one 45 minute intermission. (I was there opening night, so I would imagine that the intermission will be shorter for the rest of the run.)
The Pajama Game plays through June 30 at Montgomery College Theatre Arts Building – 51 Mannakee Street, in Rockville, MD. For tickets, purchase them online.