The Pajama Game
at Falls Church High School

Reviewed on December 1, 2018

Ashtyn Spring
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

What would it be like to work in a 1950's factory, toiling long hours for little pay? Richard Pike Bissell and George Abbott give insight into this in their book "7-1/2 Cents" which transitions easily into the musical "The Pajama Game" by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. Falls Church High School's theatre embraces the shenanigans and hardships that come from risking everything to make a change in this musical first produced in 1954.

The musical is set in the Sleep Tight pajama factory where efficiency is key. Dozens of young women work tirelessly cutting patterns, sewing fabric, and adding the finishing touches while seated behind identical sewing machines. When a sewing machine malfunctions, the newly hired, no nonsense Sid Sorokin (Patrick Kearney) is called to repair it before too much valuable work time is lost. Kearney expresses ambitions, feelings, and desires through repeated performances of his solo song "A New Town is a Blue Town." The mood is enhanced with the use of blue lights on the cyclorama and the absence of other characters on the stage during this heartfelt song.

Sid's attention is redirected from climbing the business ladder by Babe Williams, portrayed by Casey Nguyen. Soon after a first date, their growing love is made apparent to everyone at the pajama factory. Endearing duets like "Small Talk" and "There Once Was a Man" show their relationship to be strong.

The duet "I'll Never Be Jealous Again," with its pleasing harmonies and comedic dance choreography, was a highlight for both Mabel (Samaria Dellorso) and Hines (Jack Child). Another standout duet was "Her Is" performed by married, ladies' man Prez (Jack Kearney) and Sleep Tight secretary Gladys (Sarah Mack). The partnered dance moves, choreographed by Annie Stamp, corresponded perfectly with the lyrics to add a humorous visual representation of the song. This song was reprised later in Act One to emphasize the player side of Prez that would catch up with him in Act Two. Mack and Kearney's chemistry and physicality sold this number flawlessly. The choreography in the duets of this musical showcased the relationships between the characters, added artistic flair to the musical numbers, and left the audience entertained and wanting more.

Gladys (Mack) stole the show in the memorable number "Hernando's Hideaway." This spicy ensemble piece started with Mack's strong offstage vocal as dancers in white moved under the glow of blacklight. Their sultry silhouettes as well as Mack's effortless vocals set the mood for the rest of the song. Mack appears onstage to dramatically lead the number in a fitted red satin dress with a flowy skirt perfect for dancing. Another song where Mack showed her dancing and singing skills was in "Steam Heat." In this interactive song Mack, alongside Derek Castillo and Isaac Shryock, tap danced for the labor union and got the audience involved with clapping the strong rhythm. This energetic piece left the audience feeling as if they were in the union with the factory workers.

Throughout the musical Sid and Babe meet conflict from their differing stances on the pay raise. Babe stood up for what she believed in, higher pay, even at the risk of losing her job and her true love. The satisfying conclusion leaves the audience convinced that risking it all for what you believe to be right, even if it is just seven and half cents, is worth it.

Margarita Gamarnik
South Lakes High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

What do you get when you cross a blooming relationship with zany characters and... sleepwear? Why, only the Tony Award winning musical The Pajama Game! Presented by Falls Church High School, this laugh-and-a-half of a show relays the ever relevant message of the power in fighting for what is right.

Based on a 1953 novel by Richard Bissell titled 7 1/2 Cents, The Pajama Game tells the story of the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory, where exploited workers demand a raise. Leading the cause is strong-willed Babe Williams, the union grievance committee head with only one goal: to deliver a 7 1/2 cent raise to each of her fellow factory workers. However, the arrival of new factory superintendent Sid Sorokin derails Babe's plan as a romance blossoms between them despite their opposition on the wages argument. With a book by George Abbott and Richard Bissell and music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, this classic Golden Age musical showcases witty dialogue, spectacular dance numbers, and beautifully melodic songs while chronicling the timeless story.

Playing the (almost) star crossed lovers Babe and Sid were Casey Nguyen and Patrick Kearney, respectively. Nguyen's headstrong and independent persona contrasted fantastically with Kearney's passionate and committed portrayal, creating an exciting dynamic that was at its most evident in the outright declaration of love, "There Once Was a Man." Kearney displayed an impressive range of facial expression and varied vocal inflection that, coupled with his confident physicality, made for a captivating performance. Nguyen's adamant ignorance of her romantic feelings towards Kearney's Sid in "I'm Not at All in Love" supported her fierce characterization, as she refused to acknowledge her true emotions while being teased by the engaged Factory Girls ensemble.

A standout of the show was Sarah Mack as Gladys, the bubbly and determined secretary of Sleep-Tite factory head, Hasler. Whether enthusiastically executing the tap dance Act 2 opener, "Steam Heat," or driving the chaotic energy of "Hernando's Hideaway," Mack consistently demonstrated stellar vocals and outstanding comedic timing. Her loving partner and factory timekeeper, Hines, was played by Jack Child, who opened the show with a clear and pleasant rendition of "The Pajama Game." Child assumed his knife-throwing, timekeeping character with ease, revealing his extremely jealous nature in "I'll Never Be Jealous Again," a charming duet he shared with Samaria Dellorso as Mabel, the caring and organized secretary to the superintendent.

Jack Kearney as Prez, the leader of the factory workers union, delivered a brilliant performance, with commanding stage presence, powerful speech quality, and dazzling dance moves. Playing the Sleep-Tite company manager Hasler, Colin Page balanced out the serious demands of his authoritative role with exaggerated gestures and repeated dialogue that added a comedic aspect to his performance.

The inventive student choreography by Annie Stamp successfully contributed to the atmosphere of the piece, as did other technical elements. The set proved to be multi-functional, with the intricate brick detailing inside the factory efficiently transitioning to Hasler and Sid's office and Babe's house with just a few adjustments. The use of a blacklight in "Hernando's Hideaway" served to emphasize the dark cover of the nightclub and provided a cool contrast to the brightness of the factory, while the blue lighting during Sid's numerous melancholic ballads including "Hey There" was a direct representation of his somber state.

The cast and crew of The Pajama Game generated "Steam Heat" with this thrilling interpretation of the classic musical. The heartwarming tale of The Pajama Game has stood the test of time, with Falls Church High School's wonderful production proving why.

Ryleigh Line
South Lakes High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

The Pajama Game, an upbeat comedy which takes place in a pajama factory in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was brought to the stage with enthusiasm by the cast and crew of Falls Church High School. A myriad of bouncy upbeat numbers supported a show that transported the audience back to a struggle between a union and factory owner in the 1950's.

The Pajama Game is a multifaceted show that follows the struggle of a labor union to get a seven and a half-cent raise from their factory owner at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory. While all of this is going on, subplots develop between workers, as paranoia, jealousy, and love grow and wither. Carried by a cheery soundtrack of 50's tunes, The Pajama Game is fun for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Central to the show, the relationship between Union Grievance Committee Representative Babe Williams (Casey Nguyen) and Superintendent Sid Sorokin (Patrick Kearney) was evident and believable, the onstage chemistry always present and the romantic scenes well-blocked and executed. In the vein of romance, heart breaker Gladys (Sarah Mack) was a show-stealer, whose artistic vocalization and nuanced character choices left the audience laughing and humming along. Another unexpected voice came from Jack Kearney who played the role of Prez. His duets with Sarah Mack and Alex Beach were both humorous and fun to listen to, as Kearney executed the somewhat complicated choreography while also hitting all of his notes.

The humor of the show was carried through by the supporting cast. The song "I'll Never Be Jealous Again" aroused laughter in the audience as Samaria Dellorso (Mabel) and Jack Child (Hines) danced and sang through the comedic number with practiced poise. The ensemble of factory workers also carried the show with their enthusiastic reactions and domination of stage space in ensemble numbers such as "Once a Year Day" and "7 � Cents".

The set design for Falls Church's production was efficient and visually pleasing, with the impressive use of an elevator sliding door and a winding metal factory staircase.The cast utilized the set well and, although they sometimes did not enter from the same place they exited, the action was generally easy to follow thanks to the multipurpose set. The symbolic colored lighting was also a nice touch, adding depth to songs like "A New Town Is a Blue Town".

Falls Church revived the classic Pajama Game artfully, bringing their own life and energy to the characters and story. Pajama Game was a lively show that left audience members with a smile on their faces.

Madelyn Khoury
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

A silent figure holding a knife watches two people in the next room, his targets unaware until � thud � the knife slams into the wall, mere inches from their heads. It sounds like a thriller sequence, but this riveting scene is but one of the quirky plot developments in Falls Church High School's recent production of "The Pajama Game".

The musical, which first opened on Broadway in 1954, follows the story of disgruntled workers at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory, whose campaign for a seven and a half cent raise has been met with resistance from factory leadership. New in town is Sid Sorokin, the recently appointed factory Superintendent, who finds himself falling for Katherine "Babe" Williams. The only problem? She's head of the Union Grievance Committee, placing them on opposite sides of the conflict. The resulting adventure mixes love, politics, and jealousy in a humorous romp as the two try to reconcile their views.

Sid (played by Patrick Kearney) solidified his role as the factory heartthrob with a smooth voice and easy confidence that all but rolled off him as he strode through the factory. His excellent diction and timing made his character relatable, whether he was sitting in quiet contemplation in his office or breathlessly chasing after Babe (Casey Nguyen). Nguyen, meanwhile, kept herself poised and upright�matching the idea of Babe's feisty personality�and demonstrated admirable vocal control. Most impressive was the leads' chemistry�the two crafted a convincing comfort with each other, sharing easy embraces in Babe's home yet managing to pull off an intense fight scene that had them both rigid with anger and the stage stifling with tension thick enough to taste.

A talented supporting cast truly added flavor to the performance. As Gladys, Sarah Mack imbued her part with energy, whether by leading an energetic tap number with a smile in "Steam Heat", coyly running from the flirtations of Prez (Jack Kearney), or giggling drunkenly as she slouched over a table after stunning audiences with her voice in "Hernando's Hideaway". At the same time, Jack Child (Hines) admirably portrayed the many sides of his character, storming onstage when Hines was angry yet proudly basking in the attention as he demonstrated his knife-throwing abilities at the company picnic. He and Mabel (Samaria Dellorso) created a laugh-out-loud back and forth in "I'll never be jealous again," using excellent vocal and physical choices to portray the song's comedy.

Other standouts, such as Pop (Peter Manarin) and Hasler (Colin Page) added to the performance. And, the ensemble, which particularly shone in "I'm Not at All in Love," "Think of the Time I Save," and "Hernando's Hideaway," helped propel the story.

Remarkable props�which ran the gamut from everything from sewing machines to screwdrivers to vintage telephones�kept pace with the props-heavy setting, and the colorful, period-appropriate costumes and choreography transported the audience to the era. The intricate set, which featured a metal spiral staircase and an ingenious "elevator", established an industrial feel, and though some set changes were loud, the set's design allowed for quick transitions. Other effects, such as an interaction between Sid and a recording and a knife-throwing effect, were executed admirably.

With impressive technical elements and a talented lead and supporting cast, Falls Church's "The Pajama Game" is a joyous exploration of love and business. Despite its origin over sixty years ago, the story's themes and feel-good ending are sure to leave viewers with a smile.

Elisabeth Snyder
George Mason High School
Submitted for publication to Falls Church News Press

What is one to expect in a half-century old, Tony-award winning show called "The Pajama Game"? Certainly, some sexiness or a love story. But what the show delivers is so much more: a tale of two workers for Sleep Tite Pajama Company, one the superintendent and one the chair of the workers union's grievance committee, who despite their different stations and stances, fall in love. The Falls Church High School theatre department blended the risque and the everyday perfectly, putting on a show that was relevant and that the audience won't soon forget.

Set in the early 1950's in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, "The Pajama Game" begins when the Vice President of Sleep-Tite Pajama Company, Hasler, hires a new superintendent, Sid Sorokin, to deal with workers' requests for a 7 � cent pay raise per hour. Sid faces struggles with the president of the workers' union, referred to as Prez, and Katie "Babe" Williams, the woman he falls in love with. Babe is quick to understand the potential consequences of entering a relationship with Sid, but he ignores any problems until he absolutely needs to address them.

The musical features songs which show the emotions of Sid, and the other factory workers, as each navigates their own romantic and professional lives. "Hernando's Hideaway," with stunning vocals from Gladys (Sarah Mack), Hasler's secretary. The cast's dancing was full of character and really brings you back to the 1950's. A time-study piece, the show highlighted the differences between today's society and workplace and that of the past. Other songs that stood out were charged emotional duets featuring Babe (Casey Nguyen) and Sid (Patrick Kearney) as they navigated their relationship, from "There Once Was a Man" to "Small Talk." A song that featured ensemble members, "Once a Year Day," set at the annual company picnic, was a hit.

Whenever Babe and Sid's relationship didn't seem to be going well or relations between the management of the factory and the workers were contentious, Hines (Jack Child) would always step in with something comedic. Whether he was throwing knives or singing the hilarious "Think of the Time I'll Save," he captured the audience's hearts. Another character who added to the comedy, with a rich and expressive singing voice, was Mabel (Samaria Dellorso). In her song and dance number with Hines, she displayed a wide range of notes and emotions.

To bring even more meaning to each scene, the lighting team chose colors and spotlights that made specific things stand out. The set also added significantly; with details like an elevator and clock that actually ticked through the day, and multiple levels which were used effectively throughout the show, the audience could picture "The Pajama Game" happening in the 1950's.

Though the musical focused on one narrative in one factory in one Midwestern town, it speaks to a greater need for cooperation and understanding--and maybe even deciding to date someone in a position much different from your own.

Kayla Rothstein
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

What would seven and a half cents buy? At Falls Church High School, the extra pay bought love, laughter, and a glimpse into how times have changed.

In a 1950's pajama factory, new manager Sid is admired by the sewing ladies for his charming looks, but when he takes a liking to straight-laced Babe, it creates a complicated dynamic between the factory management and union workers. Although Sid actively pursues Babe, she is hesitant to fall in love. Meanwhile, classic secretary Gladys tries to appeal to her boss while keeping the factory under control. Hostility then stirs up when Babe sabotages the sewing machines, forcing Sid to fire her. Throughout the old-style musical, their relationship is tested, but they learn that love is more important than anything else.

Babe Williams played by Casey Nguyen did an excellent job of capturing the struggles of fitting the stereotype of 50's women, while maintaining her strong will. Her mature belting voice pleased the audience, especially in the song "There Once Was a Man." Similarly, Patrick Kearney as Sid used his charm to woo the audience, and his playful relationship with Babe made the production even more exciting.

Sarah Mack as Gladys did a stellar job of portraying a 50's secretary, never missing a comedic line, dance step, or belted note. She was the crowd favorite throughout the show, especially in the number "Hernando's Hideaway" where she blissfully acted like a tipsy salsa dancer. Also notable was Samaria Dellorso as Mabel who was a delight to watch in the number "I'll Never Be Jealous Again." Overall, the ensemble brought a great deal of energy to the show. While songs lacked vocal precision, they remained in character and used facial expressions to captivate the audience.

Pajama Game used many creative technical elements, bringing the audience back to the 1950's. Set Design by Grace Ollivant and Alex Conley used multiple levels, making for a smooth flow of actors. Set design also incorporated an elevator on the top level, allowing the audience to easily suspend their disbelief. Similarly, the costume design team did a stellar job of bringing many different colors to the show and keeping the clothing in period. In the number "Hernando's Hideaway," the crowd was amazed by the glow in the dark costumes, which fit perfectly with the feel of the song. While sound and lighting had a few errors throughout the show, the cast and crew persisted, showing the resilience the professional ability of their team.

Overall, Pajama Game at Falls church was a delight to watch and the seven and a half cents was surely worth it.

Elizabeth Germain
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

What can seven and a half cents buy? Not much, but for the workers at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, fighting for a seven-and-a-half-cent raise is worth the risk of losing their jobs.

In The Pajama Game, the budding romance of spunky factory worker Babe Williams and determined new superintendent Sid Sorokin is threatened when the factory owner (Hasler) refuses to give the raise. Can their relationship survive when they stand on opposite sides of the conflict? Based on the novel 7-1/2 Cents by Richard Bissell, this musical with music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross and book by George Abbott and Richard Bissell won three Tony Awards following its initial run in 1954 and another for its revival in 2006. The show was recently performed at Falls Church High School.

Casey Nguyen portrayed Babe Williams with energy and conviction. She demonstrated stubborn pride in "I'm Not at All in Love" and her strong lower vocal range in "There Once was a Man." She and Patrick Kearney (Sid Sorokin) created a believable romance throughout the show. Patrick Kearney's performance conveyed the inner conflict between the no-nonsense superintendent and the love-struck young man, especially in "Hey There," when he sang a duet with a recording of himself on his answering machine.

Sarah Mack superbly portrayed Gladys, Hasler's quick-witted and flirtatious secretary. In "Hernando's Hideaway" her impeccable vocals were infused with a growl that suited the dark and mysterious atmosphere of the bar. In this number, her bold antics, such as climbing on top of the piano and tumbling off, convincingly and humorously conveyed her drunkenness. Her peppy spirit and well-executed tap dancing in "Steam Heat" provided a strong open to Act II. Gladys' jealous boyfriend Vernon Hines (the factory timekeeper and a skilled knife thrower) was adeptly portrayed by Jack Child. "I'll Never Be Jealous Again" was a standout number due Child's convincing acting, Annie Stamp's choreography, and Samaria Dellorso's (Mabel) strong voice and comedic timing.

Also of note was Colin Page, who energetically sold factory owner Hasler's claims of being a "fighting man" with his fists in the air and his firm espousal of capitalism. Jack Kearney gave a strong performance as Prez, the skirt-chasing union leader, especially in the number "Her Is" wherein he pursued Gladys (and Mae in the reprise) across the stage with words of praise.

Annie Stamp's choreography made duet numbers a delight, with her infusion of hip hop and swing dance into the classic 50s style of dance. The set crew wowed with a convincing elevator from the factory floor to Sid's office. Black lights in "Hernando's Hideaway," paired with all-white costumes and black-light painted props, made for an enchanting number.

A consistently engaged ensemble, effective technical design, and believable romance brought together Falls Church's rendition of The Pajama Game. Seven and a half cents may not buy much, but it's what the workers want, and in work, in life, and in love, fighting for what one wants is always worth the risk.