Monday, July 06, 2009

Broadway Monday

The Pajama Game The Pajama Game is set in the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory during a strenuous labor negotiation. At the musical's center is the simmering attraction between a handsome new manager and a lovely union representative. But their budding romance is threatened by the impending strike.

The original production of this famous show starred a trio of Broadway greats in John Raitt, Janis Paige, and Eddie Foy. Standard musical fare of "Hey There" and "Hernando's Hideaway" are melodies that still linger on radios, elevators, and supermarkets! Talk about staying power! The original production opened in May 1954, ran for 1,063 performances, and won the Tony for Best Musical and Best Choreography by Bob Fossee.

In 1973 and 2006 it was revived by the Roundabout Theatre Company. The latter production featured the marquee power of Harry Connick Jr. and Kelli O'Hara. The combination of Harry and Kelli's voices rivaled, if not surpassed, the original recordings in depth, richness, and all out sublime ear candy!

The revival production opened at the American Airlines Theatre, ran a limited engagement of 129 performances, and garnered the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical and Best Choreography by Kathleen Marshall. The revival also boasted three new songs written by Richard Adler who penned the original score.

No comments: