The Pajama Game - Artistry

 The Pajama Game is a game you want to see, even if you don't know it yet. It is a charming show from 1954 that is quirky, but has some great music, characters, and story. I say it is quirky because one of the plot points, in fact the main plot point is about the Union and a labor conflict. Is there a love story - of course there is. There are a few! Are there great songs that you may know? Naturally. Is there great dancing and singing? oh yes indeed!!

Artistry in Bloomington is back with this production co-directed and co-choreographed by Allyson Richert, and Ben Bakken. As this show contains the Bob Fosse hit "Steam Heat" there is also a featured choreographer mentioned - Kelli Foster Warder - that I assume worked on remounting the Fosse choreo for "Steam Heat." It is a great show to bring this wonderful company back on stage. It shows off the talent of the theatre company (directing, choreography, musical direction, set, lighting, costuming) and in the performance I saw, everything was perfect. The set changes and transitions between scenes were smooth and quick, the music levels were set perfectly, the orchestra (under the guidance of conductor Evan Tyler Wilson) sounded incredible and filled the space...every piece of the puzzle was in place.

The Pajama Game has a wonderful cast of 16 (I am including two swings), that know their way around a stage, and a musical. Sometimes these older shows can come off as dated, but this one did not. It clearly takes place in 1954, as you can see from the costumes, hair styles, and the way characters related to each other. However, sometimes in shows like this there are bits that just rub a modern audience the wrong way. Not in this production. The story, if you don't know the film with Doris Day and John Raitt, is about Sid starting as the superintendent of the Sleep Tite pajama factory floor. While trying to fix one of the sewing machines, an incident takes place which ends up with Sid having to work with the Union Greivance Committee... Babe. While visible sparks may not happen, it is clear that there is mutual interest between Sid and Babe. However, the workers also want a 7 1/2 cent raise which the company is not willing to give them. So Sid and Babe are on opposite sides of this issue at work. Can romance happen? Sid, played by Eric Morris, has an amazing baritone voice that he knows how to use to great effect, with every lyric being clear. Babe, played by Falicia Nichole, is his equal vocally and when the two duet it is wonderful. As with most shows there is a secondary love interest and I think that would be Hines (Carl Swanson) and Gladys (Maureen Sherman-Mendez). Hines has some great numbers and plays the character so well. Gladys has the "Steam Heat" number and is fantastic in it. That being said, the secondary couple could also be Prez (Matthew J. Brightbill) and....well, whatever skirt he is chasing that day. Prez is the president of the Union Committee, and takes lead on the very fun song "7 and 1/2 cents." He also has a song in Act One named "Her Is" which he sounds great on. I think it is one of those songs that was originally done in front of the curtain to cover a scene change, and personally I don't think it adds much to the story. That being written, it is a great showcase number for a talented singer/dancer which Brightbill uses to his advantage. Something similar could be said for each cast member. Everyone is using their stage time to their advantage and showing us who their character is. This is a very good thing for shows that have a bigger ensemble. Even if you only hear a characters name in passing, and the character may not have a solo number, you still walk away knowing who that person is. Each performer knows what they are doing on stage and it is wonderful to see and watch.

Does the show come to a happy conclusion? Well, I think you already know the answer to that but if you don't - I'm not going to share. You should get to the Bloomington Center for the Arts, and take in this wonderful production of a really charming show. Personally this was my first time seeing it on stage so I don't think it gets done that often - which is even more reason to take in a great production of it, and support local theatre!

photos: Tommy Sar