Posted: 5/24/15 at 7:27pm
I'm just curious as if anyone could shed the differences between the original production and 2006 Roundabout Revival of "The Pajama Game." I know the show had a revised book and added songs for the revival, and am curious if it hurt / helped the show.
Posted: 5/24/15 at 8:35pm
Well it won best revival. So...?
Posted: 5/24/15 at 8:43pm
Based on the CR the reduced orchestrations were not very good.
Posted: 5/24/15 at 9:50pm
I liked it on the whole. Harry Connick is not a great dancer but he is a a great piano player so adjustments were made to feature one not 'tother. Didn't make a lot of sense in the show but hey his personality sold it. Pres and another union member (Mae) handled the (expanded) dancing and very well. I liked that Heinzie and Gladys seemed closer in age ( the line where Gladys says she met him in his vaudeville days always made me think she was a kinda Dainty June and it seemed a bit pervey) I also liked that Pres chases Mae more than Gladys in Her Is.
The added songs were neither here nor there, Kelli did well w them (If You Win You Lose) and it expanded the Heinzie & Gladys love story ( Me Myself & I)
The main thing i remember thinking was "wow Mr Abbott sure knew how to keep a show moving "- the pace was terrific- barely 2 hrs w a 20 min intermission.
Updated On: 5/24/15 at 09:50 PM
Posted: 5/25/15 at 1:23am
I believe the ballet was cut (it's not on the cast recording). The ballet is tremendous fun, so it's too bad they cut it.
It's a shame they made any changes. The show as originally written is so charming and just perfect as it is.
Posted: 5/25/15 at 9:34am
Also, "Steam Heat" is traditionally performed by Gladys and two boys whereas here they changed it to Mae and two boys.
Posted: 5/25/15 at 2:58pm
The Jealousy Ballet was cut, right? I played a sailor who came out of a closet for that number in a regional Vancouver staging and it was the most fun I had in the show, but I can see why it was an easily cut sequence.
