Random PAJAMA GAME question

[sondheimfan2]

Posted: 7/10/11 at 2:34pm

After the overture but before the first song "Racing With the Clock," Hines speaks directly to the audience. I don't believe this happens ever again in the show. Listening to the OBC and just thought it was odd. Anyone know if he speaks to the audience again?

[sondheimfan2]

Posted: 7/10/11 at 2:39pm

Correction: He speaks as part of the title song, but still find it odd that he addresses the audience this one and only time.

Oh, and yes, I need a life.

[Kgshrauder]

Posted: 7/10/11 at 3:48pm

I assistant directed "The Pajama Game" a little bit ago and if I remember correctly at the end right after "There Once Was A Man (Reprise)" he says something to the audience about the show being full of symbolism, which he eludes to at the beginning of the show.

Off the top of my head, that is all I can think of.

[singtopher]

Posted: 7/10/11 at 7:57pm

I played that role. I should really know the answer.

[sondheimfan2]

Posted: 7/11/11 at 10:54pm

@Kgshrauder - Thanks! I forgot about that line. I can sleep now.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 12:08pm

singtopher, I played that role too!

and I'm pretty sure they're a direct address moment right before and after the reprise of "There Once Was a Man".

[darquegk]

Posted: 7/12/11 at 12:43pm

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe I read this somewhere:

The direct addresses at the ends of the show were a nod and a wink to the Brechtian politically-oriented socialist musicals, particularly Threepenny Opera and Cradle Will Rock. By including them in such a winking, out-of-context fashion, the writers were addressing the fact that their show could look like a power-to-the-proletariat piece if you wanted to see it as such, but really wasn't anything THAT serious in the long run.