Spectacular! That’s the only way to adequately describe the acting, dancing, singing, music, costumes, set design, props and more in Newark Drama Club’s presentation of the musical “The Pajama Game” this weekend at Newark High School.
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Set in 1954, “The Pajama Game” is about conditions at the Cedar Rapids, Iowa Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory where workers churn out pajamas at a backbreaking pace. The union, led by Prez, is seeking a wage hike of 7 1/2 cents an hour, but company president, Mr. Hasler, disagrees.
Initially, it’s anything but peaceful at the workplace as sparks fly between the new superintendent, Sid Sorokin, and Babe Williams, leader of the union grievance committee.
While Sid and Babe appear to be in opposite camps, romantic interest is sparked at their first encounter. Despite cajoling from her fellow garment workers, Babe insists there is nothing between she and Sid.
Meanwhile, Hines is in love with Gladys Hotchkiss, the company president's secretary, but is pushing her away with his jealous behavior. After witnessing a fight between the couple, Sid's secretary, Mabel, tries to help Hines break from his jealous ways.
During the annual company picnic, Hines demonstrates his knife throwing act while intoxicated, almost striking Babe while attempting to knock an apple off her head. Meanwhile there are other amorous advances made by Prez to both Gladys, who isn’t interested in the married man and Mae, who clearly is.
At Babe's home, Sid's romantic overtures are deflected by Babe, who makes casual conversation. Eventually the walls come down between the two, who admit their love for one another, but their estrangement is reinforced when they return to the factory. A slow-down is staged by the union, strongly supported by Babe. Sid demands an "honest day's work" and threatens to fire slackers. Babe, however, is still determined to fight for their cause, and intentionally jams the factory line, causing a breakdown, and Sid reluctantly fires her. As she leaves, he begins to wonder again whether a romance with her is a mistake.
At the Union meeting, after a rallying speech by Prez, Gladys and others perform. After the main meeting, the Grievance Committee meets at Babe's house, to discuss further tactics, such as mismatching sizes of pajamas. At that meeting, as Prez and Mae's relationship is waning, Sid tries to smooth things over with Babe. Despite her feelings for Sid, she pushes him away.
Back at the factory, the girls reassure Hines, who is offended by the slow down, that he is not responsible. Hasler has a meeting in his office with Max, one of the company's traveling salesmen, about an incident that occurred in Peoria, Illinois. Hines is called in to try on pajama pants, which fall down in front of everybody just as Gladys walks in. Believing that he is fooling around, she angrily dismisses him.
Convinced Babe's alllegiance to the union is justified, Sid takes Gladys to Hernando’s Hideaway where he wheedles the key to the company's books from her. Hines and Babe discover the pair and assume they are dating. Babe storms out and Hines believes his jealous imaginings have come true.Using Gladys' key, Sid accesses the firm's books and discovers Hasler has already tacked on the extra 7 1/2 cents to production costs, and pocketed the profits. Jealously out of his mind, Hines breaks into Gladys' office, and flings knives past she and Sid, narrowly missing an increasingly paranoid Mr. Hasler.
After detaining Hines, Sid then brings about Hasler's consent to a pay raise and rushes to bring the news to the Union Rally, already in progress. This news brings peace to the factory and to his love life.
Go see “The Pajama Game” for lots more fun and to see the exciting conclusion!!!!!!
“The Pajama Game is a classical musical comedy that has been on my “someday” list for many years,” said Director Emily Howard who also is an NHS English 11 teacher. “We were waiting for the right mix of actors. The featured roles required our actors to delve into character development and create believable relationships on stage. I asked our actors to find the humanity and truth in the characters in this piece. I'm especially impressed with the maturity of our young actors in leading roles. Our ensemble also got the opportunity to create individual characters. I've challenged our ensemble to be truly present in scenes and create moments in response to the action on stage.
“We also tackled some fun dancing, including the tango in this musical. We are excited to present this classic piece of musical theatre to our community. I think audiences will be impressed with the commitment of our actors and technicians. I am proud to work with these students!”
Cast and Ensemble (E) members include: Luis Alonso (E), Felicity Brey (Poopsie), Addison Burgess (Mae), Isabella Cary (E), Kylie Craig (E), Anna Eckert (E), Avé Ellis (Carmen), Kylie Gravino (Gladys Hotchkiss), Brooklyn Hand (E), Bailey Harris (E), Taya Hilfiker (E), Ryan Hinks (Vernon Hines), Julianna House (E), Bella Humphrey (Mary), Ethan Klock (E), Jadon Kowaleski (Mr. Hasler), Zachary Ladd (Pops), Anna Lanse (Babe Williams), Mikalya Miller (E), Ian Murphy (Sid Sorokin), Kalyn Norton (E), Shyanne Pilozzi (E), Alyvia Poole (E), Elizabeth Pullen (E), Victoria Ridley (E), Naomi Rivera-Romero (E), Kloie Sergeant (E), Braydan Sherman (Max/Charley), Talmadgha Streeter (Brenda), Cole Talbot (Prez), Leeann Titus (E), Camryn Tolleson (E), Ethan Tonkinson (Joe), Beatrice Van Riper (Mabel) and Caspian Wunder (E). AJ Merced is a member of the Pit Band.
Stage Managers: Courtney Jadus and Chloe Semmler.
Crew members include: Evelyn Berndt, Raina George, Alexa Gravino, Loretta Hobart, Giovanni Modaffari, Emma Newark, Jacob Norton, Armoni Sanders, Emma Titus, Stephanie Wilson and Rosemary Winkler.
As in the past, Howard choreographed the show. NHS Vocal Music teacher Kate Flock is the musical director, Mary Lou Bonnell is the accompanist, Newark Middle School Instrumental Music teacher Rebekah Valerio is the Pit Band director and Dave Howard is the Set Designer.
Ryan Hinks designed to poster for the show.
The show will be presented in the NHS Auditorium March 1st and 2nd at 7 p.m. and at 2 p.m. March 3rd.
Tickets at the door will be $5 and students and senior citizens and $7 for adults.