First Preview of the Pajama Game (1/19/06)

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 9:46am

*spoilers*

Ever since this revival had been announced, around a year ago, I knew that I had to be at the first preview. I was in a production of The Pajama Game at my high school back in 1999, so I know the show very well and I was eager to see it done on a Broadway stage. I heard that the book was going to be re-written and I was also skeptical of Harry Connick Jr. as Sid. Fortunately, the production I saw last night was excellent and I was not disappointed at all.

As soon as the curtain rose to reveal the pajama factory, Sleep Tite, I was relieved to find that a lot of work was put into the set. There were 5 sewing machines (3 downstage and 2 upstage) with another folding table upstage of both sets of sewing machines. On both sides of the stage, there were staircases for entrances and exits and on the extreme sides of the stage, there were colored buttons that were so cute and really added to the tone of the evening. In addition, there were tons of orange pajamas on a moving line above them.

Let me start off by saying that the ensemble was excellent and had a ton of energy. Racing With The Clock was wonderful and got tons of applause. The other big ensemble numbers were Once A Year Day (which actually gave me chills due to the incredible choreography), Hernando's Hideaway, and Seven and a Half Cents...all of which were fabulous. For me, Jen Cody was the standout member of the ensemble. She delivered every line with spunk and feeling. Excellent.

I was glad to see that the creative team decided not to rewrite the book. It was very true to the original with a few minor changes (thank god they did not change the song to seven and a half dollars or something stupid like that).

Roz Ryan as Mabel: During the scenes in Sid Sorokin's office, she had some one-liners that were just hilarious (some were not in the original book), I'll Never Be Jealous Again was great and even her entrance during the pajama fashion show finale was excellent. Ryan has excellent stage presence and really knows how to work the crowd with her lines.

Peter Benson as Prez: An adorable nerdy guy with glasses who is just looking for happiness and finds it in Mae (the way they finally get together is SO ADORABLE). His song Her Is was great. During the first Her Is, he is trying (miserably) to court Gladys, but she has no interest. Then in the reprise of Her Is, Mae goes after him and succeeds! Benson's Seven and a Half Cents really conveyed that his character cared about getting the raise. He wasn't just singing the song, he really got into it.

Joyce Chittick as Mae: I loved her in Sweet Charity in the minor role she had. She really is a talented actress and dancer. Instead of using Gladys during Steam Heat, the creative team decided to use Mae. This showcased Chittick in a wonderful musical number. Kathleen Marshall still used the black bowler hats and there were some Fosse-esque dance moves in there, but she really made it her own and it worked. Throughout the show, we also get to see Mae transform from a shy, boyfriendless tomboy to an independent, secure woman.

Megan Lawrence as Gladys: Lawrence is showcased in Act 2 during Hernando's Hideaway and during the scene following that number. Great voice. Excellent actor. During the scene after Hernando's Hideaway, she gets to be drunk and is falling all over herself and every guy who passes by. Her lines, "you'll never get my key, you'll never get my key," and "i think i'll take a nap!" were hilarious! Also, I LOVED the dress she wore during this scene. It was a magenta dress with frills on the bottom. Gorgeous. Totally worked in the scene.

Before I review the next three leads, I would like to inform you that all three of them got thunderous entrance applause. Last night was a very enthusiastic audience (including myself).

Michael McKean as Hines: Very good. I enjoyed his I'll Never Be Jealous Again with Mabel and his Think of the Time I Save with the factory girls. His voice is not the strongest, but it worked for this part. Hines and Gladys had an added song The Three of Us, which was fine, but forgettable. McKean shined in the picnic scene and the scene where he was throwing knives in Sid Sorokin's office in Act 2.

Kelli O'Hara as Babe: brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. Yes, I saw her in The Light in the Piazza four times and loved her. I was unsure that she would be able to sing these songs since they are completely different from The Beauty Is and The Light in the Piazza, but she was, yes I'll say it again, BRILLIANT! I got chills during I'm Not At All in Love and was smiling the entire time. She totally deserved to get this role. She was completely different than when she played Clara, which proves to me that she is a true actress (and that makes me so happy). Her duets with Harry Connick Jr. were fantastic. Once A Year Day, Small Talk, There Once Was A Man and even the new song If You Win, You Lose, was well done. Kelli's portrayal of Babe was excellent and was definitely the best actor in the entire production.

Harry Connick Jr. as Sid: true, he is no John Raitt, but he is still wonderful in this role. His voice, as you all know, is different and once I got used to it, it was fine. A New Town Is a Blue Town was good, Hey There was great and all of his duets with Kelli were fantastic. The two of them work so well together and they both seemed to be having a lot of fun. His acting was good, but at times, did seem a little stiff. I will definitely see this multiple times to see how he grows in the role. Harry was at his best last night during Hernando's Hideaway. In the middle of the song, Harry started playing the piano and the piano was used in the choreography as well. Harry got tons of mid-song applause during this section (and well-deserved). And for those of you wondering, yes, at the end of the show, Kelli is wearing the pajama top and Harry is only wearing the pajama bottom, so we got to see shirtless Harry in this scene AND during the curtain call. Yes, he has a great upper body. Yes, there were tons of middle-aged women in the row in front of me freaking out. I understand that this revival only happened because of Harry Connnick Jr. and for that I am grateful.

As good as all the actors were, for me, the star of the show was Kathleen Marshall. The direction and choreography for this show were perfect. Her vision was clearly executed and the musical numbers were fun, full of energy and the audience absolutely loved it. I am definitely a fan of hers and hope that she works on a lot more broadway shows in the future.

Overall, I adored Roundabout's production of The Pajama Game. If you like old fashioned musicals, like Kelli O'Hara, lust over Harry Connick Jr., or appreciate EXCELLENT choreography and direction, go see this production. You will certainly leave with a smile.






Updated On: 1/20/06 at 09:46 AM

[Glebb]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 10:06am

Thanks Trace.
I enjoyed your review.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 10:39am

Yes, for Roz - she is wonderful.

GREAT review. Can't wait.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 10:49am

Great review!!!

[marincrazy11]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 11:11am

that's a great review. thanks!

[grizzabella]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 11:16am

Thanks for the review, WithoutATrace. A question? Was it staged as a period piece or in the present? From your descriptions, I'm assuming it had a 40's or 50's feel, but I may be wrong. Are they playing specifically for nostalgia value in the costumes and sets? I wondered because the show is clearly a classic (I was in a production in the 60's at my high school) and you said that they hadn't rewritten the book.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 11:23am

from what i saw, i do not think they were trying to modernize it. the costumes had a 50's feel to them as did the sets. the one thing i noticed about the sets and costumes was that there was TONS of bright colors, which i thought were used well. the show is still a classic and i am *so glad* they didn't rewrite the book.
Updated On: 1/20/06 at 11:23 AM

[grizzabella]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 11:33am

Thanks, I tend to agree with you. I was just curious. I totally agree that bright colors and an intentionally retro feel are perfect for this show.

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 11:37am

As someone who has played Prez on two occasions I am excited that both "Her Is" numbers and "Seven and 1/2 Cents" went over so well!!! I am very excited about this show and am crossing my fingers and hoping that I will be able to get up to NYC and see it (and looking forward to a recording!)

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 11:39am

i am looking forward to the recording too...and there will most definitely be one (according to the guy selling tshirts and posters).

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 11:46am

From looking at the cast list it seems that the ensemble is small in numbers.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 11:51am

The ensemble is small (12-13 people in the opening, Once A Year Day, Hernando's Hideaway, 7.5 Cents etc) but extremely powerful. It works.
Updated On: 1/20/06 at 11:51 AM

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 12:04pm

OH MY GOD. YES.

You have just made my life.

I cannot WAIT to see this.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 12:06pm

After reading this, I know I definitely want to see it!

[flaemmchen]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 12:10pm

Wonderful review! I can't wait to see it!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 12:18pm

oh and i forgot to add that last night's first preview was completely sold out!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 12:22pm

WithoutaTrace:

Such an intellegent,thoughtful, insighful review. Your passion for theater is heart-warming. Thank you for sharing. Maybe I will get to NYC sometime soon and see it. :)

[MusicAndPassion]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 4:42pm

Thanks for the review. I really hope I can catch the show!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 5:54pm

Jeez, seems like Jen Cody is the hardest working actor. She just bounces from show to show, good for her.

Anyways, i wish i could see a pic of the set, it sounds very interesting. what was the show curtain like? anything special.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 6:58pm

What was the running time?

[NJgirl]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 7:07pm

Thanks for the review!! Now I dont know if i can wait til May (when I have tickets) to see this!
Updated On: 1/20/06 at 07:07 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 7:25pm

What a great review! Nicely written, too!

[zepka102]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 7:35pm

i really don't know anything about this show, but i would love to see it. your review rocks, trace!

[SimpleJoysHaveSimpleVoice]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 8:39pm

Withoutatrace, I was in Pajama Game in high school too! And it was horrible. I was not excited about the revival until I read your review. So thanks for making me spend money on the CD (hopefully) and maybe a trip to NYC. I need any excuse to catch a flight. Thank you.

[jane915]

Posted: 1/20/06 at 9:00pm

great review. i can't wait to see this :)