The Pajama Game — Page 2

I think the biggest problem with the show will be selling it to today's theatre crowd. The basic premise is that the factory workers want a 7 1/2 cent raise. Since that is one of the pivotal numbers in the show, they are either going to have to change it to 7 1/2 PERcent or present it strictly as a period piece. How to Succeed was able to take a 60's show that was very sexist and make it work today but I think it's going to be hard to pull off. And I'm a BIG fan of the show.

"Altar Boyz...Trailer Park...The Big Voice...Caligula... may also be headed for commercial runs very soon...new shows with "new" composers..."

I much prefer original work to revivals but given that the craft of songwriting, particularly in musical theatre, has fallen into desuetude and producers seem devoid of musical taste, I will safely wager that the scores for most new shows (including the ones mentioned above) will be their least interesting element. So much for the future of "musical" theatre. Gherbert, unfortunately, has it right.
Virtually every new show is rumored to be "moving to Broadway"---I wouldn't send out the laundry on most of them just yet.

Updated On: 10/6/04 at 08:03 PM

The Hal Linden Barbara McNair production toured TO years ago & I liked it very much, I remember Cab Callaway esp as Heinzy. Met him & his daugheter after & they were very nice -pleased we had enjoyed it. I always liked "There Once was a Man" for a romantic/comic duet too.

Good star vehicles aren't necessarily good shows. The Boy From Oz, anyone?

Updated On: 10/6/04 at 10:33 PM

To the people bashing The Pajama Game:

How can you say that this is a bad musical? In fact it is one of the greatest musical comedies in history. It was really a merging of Broadway's greatest talents: George Abbott and Jerry Robbins directed, Bob Fosse choreographed, Hal Prince and Bobby Girffith produced with Freddie Brisson, Lemuel Ayers did the design, the score was by two extremely talented proteges of Frank Loesser fresh to the Browady scene and ready to go, it boasted one of Broadway's top leading men in John Raitt, and a splendid dancer/comidenne in Carol Haney whon really set that mold later emulated by Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera and SO much more . . .

In a way I understand. With a Broadway now filled with screamers like Brooklyn, Wicked, and Les Mis, people now think of these shows as operettas! What the heck is that? Gosh, musical theatre has gone SO downhill. When I have to defend some of Broadway's greatest musical comedy! When people think The Pajama Game is "old-fashioned!" Gosh, we should STILL be doing musicals exactly like The Pajama Game. And soon lest we be stuck with musical crap for eternity.