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Opined February 24, 2006
The Pajama Game - Book by George Abbott and Richard Bissell; music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, based on the novel "71/2 Cents" by
Mr. Bissell; book revisions for this production by Peter Ackerman. Directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall (Wonderful Town);
orchestrations by Dick Lieb and Danny Troob;
WITH: Harry Connick Jr. (Sid Sorokin), Kelli O'Hara (Babe Williams), Michael McKean (Hines), Peter Benson (Prez), Joyce Chittick (Mae), Megan
Lawrence (Gladys), Michael McCormick (Ganzenlicker/Pop), Richard Poe (Mr. Hasler), Roz Ryan (Mabel) and Bridget Berger, Stephen Berger, Kate
Chapman, Paula Legget Chase, Jennifer Cody, David Eggers, Michael Halling, Bianca Marroquin, Vince Pesce, Devin Richards, Jeffrey Schecter and
Debra Walton (Factory Workers).
Sets by Derek McLane (Abigail's Party, I Am My Own Wife) ; costumes by Martin Pakledinaz; lighting by Peter Kaczorowski (Naked Girl on The Appian
Way, Twentieth Century,Grey Gardens); sound by Brian Ronan.
Presented by the Roundabout Theater Company, At the American Airlines Theater, 227 West 42nd Street, Manhattan, (212) 719-1300. Through June
11. Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes. Through June 2006
If you want to spend an evening at the theatre for, say $100, and not have one little brain cell disturbed in any way – I have a pair of pajamas for you. A couple of
good things are happening here. There are a lot of teenagers coming to this show which is a good thing. It’s suitable for a family. More or less. I still remember
the first musical I saw on Broadway when I was in high school. I can tell you what seat I had and who sat next to me. Memories like that last.
Second - The word among the staff, crew and cast that Harry Connick is a sweetheart to work with. And if you want his autograph, just show up at the West
43rd Street Stage Door around 10:30 any night where he and Kelli O’Hara sign autographs
This is the story of a pajama factory in the 1950’s, where the workers' demands for a
7 1/2 cent raise are going unheeded. In the midst of this ordeal, love blossoms between Babe, a union leader, and Sid, the new factory superintendent. And there is
sex. (“I think I’ll slip out of this dress before I whip you up an omelet.”) Yup, no foolin’ and who knew anyone was having sex in the 1950’s? They weren’t in
my hometown. Women got pregnant and children were being born but sex was definitely not happening.
Except it was and this musical is here to let you know it. That part of it works, but it’s the oddest story. Based on the novel "71/2 Cents" which is a steamy novel
not carried at the New York Library. I just got a copy through http://www.abebooks.com. Worth the bother to read the source material. In the book there is no
strike, and Babe is a green eyed red-head – hmnnn.
The really too bad part, though, is that Harry Connick is not an actor. He tries though, oh how he tries. The only time he comes alive, however, is when he is
playing the piano, as if the instrument itself is infusing him with a life force. When he sings he never presents the song to the audience (nor does he have to
because is wearing a waaaaaaaaaaay unnecessary microphone). He hunkers down and looks everywhere but out and seems to have no sense that we are sitting out
in the audience and need his energy to cross over those little footlights and grab us.
Who does understand that in spades is Michael McKean. He is the seasoned performer on which all things good rely. As Hines, he delivers THE dopiest songs on
this earth with a wink and a nod that make you think he actually likes singing them. He even dances. Other performers to keep an eye on are Peter Benson as Prez
and Megan Lawrence as Gladys. Their singing and dancing are so explosive and exuberant you loose weight just watching them.
It’s an OK evening. But for my money, I’d rather spend it on a Harry Connick concert. I’ll bet he’s pretty good. And for certain, he’ll feel more at home with a
piano within reach.
©2006 Tulis McCall