Pajama Game Reviews — Page 3

It is a good revival not a great revival. Without Harry the show would not run.

Sorry but Kelli is DULL!! She is yet another bland, pretty, perky, soulless Broadway B-level diva. [She and Sutton can do "Legends" in 50 years.] Janis Paige might not have been the best singer but she was lusty and gritty.

The show's book is paper-thin. While the score has many high points there are the low points including "Her Is" and the overly long and too cutesy "I'll Never Be Jealous Again". "Steam Heat" is ruined by a recast of who sings it now vs. who sang it in the original cast and also tinkering with the Fosse moves.

The musical highpoints are "Hernando" and the brooding, sexy "New Town Is a Blue Town".

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I realize ignorance is bliss but there are some plain awful reviews as well. Check on ATC. I guess since the GOD, Brantly says it's good, it just must be, but most people and reviewers aren't quite as fond of "bland and safe" as Brantly is. Sorry but I just don't get the appeal of Marshall's safe sterile work and don't get the appeal of O'Hara either. It must be what the other poster said. She appeals to the same people that Sutton Foster does to. I don't get it and believe me, I've tried.

Alice ripley would have killed in the role of Babe. There's nothing "strong" or urgent about O'hara or her performance.

JV92, I was thinking the same thing.

Clive Barnes gives it a rave but the poor old dear gets his facts messed up:

Joyce Chittick is a knockout as his girl Mae, a plain Jane who doffs her specs — and skirt — to raise "Steam Heat."

Though it was originally danced by the boss' secretary Mabel, the new Mabel is now the handsomely statuesque Roz Ryan, who acts up a storm and sings but doesn't dance.

No Clive, it was originally danced by Gladys, who is the boss' secretary, not Mabel, who is SID'S secretary. The thought of lovely old Reta Shaw doing 'Steam Heat' alternately sends chills up my spine and sends me into paroxysms of laughter.

And speaking of Mabel, Roz Ryan does a very credible soft-shoe with Michael McKeon. What does he mean she doesn't dance?

Doesn't the old sot have a fact-checker?

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While I am pleased for The Pajama Game's hardworking cast, my initial reaction to Brantley's review was complete and utter surprise. It's certainly an enjoyable show, and I would agree that Harry and Kelli sizzle on stage probably more so than any other Broadway musical couple that I seen in recent memory, but it is fluff. At least that was my first thought. And then I considered that maybe I shouldn't dismiss it just because it is light-hearted and wholesome. Those types of shows should be evaluated on the same scale as everything else and not snubbed for being "outdated."

Thinking back to recent revivals that are generally viewed as hits, both with critics and audiences (e.g., Chicago (OBC), Cabaret (OBC) and Sweeney), I sense that many people are more appreciative of shows that reflect current media portrayals of sex, violence, crime, etc. The darker revivals that feature provocatively clad women and seedy crime scenes are typically the ones that generate raves. Good, old-fashioned, happy song and dance musicals seem to be placed at a disadvantage, which is a shame. If not for a big name like Harry Connick, Jr., I don't think The Pajama Game would be selling out every performance.

Interesting that this season's battle for the Musical Revival Tony are two Best Musical winning shows in their original runs and are on complete opposite ends of the spectrum artistically (I'm afraid I don't have high expectations for Threepenny, though hardcore theatre fanatics will rave regardless the production values). It's shaping up to be a very interesting season. Too bad there's no heady new musical this season for everyone to bemoan. I guess the Sweeney or Threepenny revivals will have to double for that role as well.

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Just picked up my copy of the New York Times and the review is estatic.

I don't think I've ever read the word "erotic" used so often in a review before, though.

Hushpuppy, I am still giggling from the thought of Reta Shaw in 'Steam Heat.'

Thank you. I needed that.

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