The Pajama Game

The Pajama Game is a classic American musical that premiered on Broadway in 1954, featuring music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, and a book by George Abbott and Richard Bissell, based on Richard Bissell's novel 7 1/2 Cents. The musical was produced by Frederick Brisson, Robert E. Griffith, and Harold S. Prince, and directed by George Abbott and Jerome Robbins. The original cast included John Raitt as Sid Sorokin, Doris Day was considered for the role of Babe Williams, but it ultimately went to Janis Paige, with Eddie Foy Jr. as Hines, and Carol Haney as Gladys.

Background

The Pajama Game is set in a pajama factory in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and is based on Richard Bissell's novel 7 1/2 Cents, which was inspired by his own experiences working in a pajama factory. The musical features a mix of romance, comedy, and social commentary, with a focus on the relationships between the factory's workers, including Sid Sorokin, the new superintendent, and Babe Williams, the leader of the union's Grievance Committee. The show's creators, including Richard Adler, Jerry Ross, and George Abbott, were influenced by the works of Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers, as well as the Federal Theatre Project and the Group Theatre.

Plot

The plot of The Pajama Game revolves around the romance between Sid Sorokin and Babe Williams, as well as the labor dispute between the factory's workers and management, led by Mr. Hasler and Hines. The show features a range of characters, including Gladys, the factory's secretary, and Prez, the leader of the union. The story is set against the backdrop of the post-war economic boom and the rise of the American middle class, with references to Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the Korean War. The show's themes of love, work, and social justice are reminiscent of the works of Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams.

Music

The music for The Pajama Game was written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, with orchestrations by Don Walker and Hal Hastings. The show features a range of songs, including Hey There, Hernando's Hideaway, and Steam Heat, which have become standards of the American musical theater repertoire. The music is influenced by the works of George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin, as well as the jazz and blues traditions of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. The show's dance numbers were choreographed by Bob Fosse, who was influenced by the works of Martha Graham and Katherine Dunham.

Production_History

The Pajama Game premiered on Broadway at the St. James Theatre on May 13, 1954, and ran for 1,063 performances, starring John Raitt and Janis Paige. The show was directed by George Abbott and Jerome Robbins, and produced by Frederick Brisson, Robert E. Griffith, and Harold S. Prince. The show's success led to a West End production in 1955, starring Max Bygraves and Elaine Paige, as well as a US tour and numerous regional productions. The show has been revived on Broadway several times, including in 1973, starring Hal Linden and Barbara McNair, and in 2006, starring Harry Connick Jr. and Kelli O'Hara.

Adaptations

The Pajama Game has been adapted into a film in 1957, starring Doris Day and John Raitt, and directed by Stanley Donen and George Abbott. The film was produced by Warner Bros. and features many of the original Broadway cast members, including Carol Haney and Eddie Foy Jr.. The show has also been adapted into a television special in 1962, starring Shirley Jones and John Raitt, and directed by Fielder Cook. The show's music has been recorded by numerous artists, including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Peggy Lee.

Reception

The Pajama Game was a critical and commercial success, winning the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1955, as well as Tony Awards for Best Choreography and Best Conductor and Musical Director. The show was praised by critics, including Brooks Atkinson of The New York Times and Walter Kerr of The New York Herald Tribune, for its music, dance, and performances. The show's success helped to establish Richard Adler and Jerry Ross as major songwriters of the American musical theater, and paved the way for future musicals such as Damn Yankees and West Side Story. The show's influence can be seen in the works of Stephen Sondheim, John Kander, and Fred Ebb, among others. Category:American musicals