Cortland Repertory Theatre's stage will spark with "steam heat" in the third show of their 39th season as they present the all-singing, all-dancing musical "The Pajama Game", with music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, and a book written by George Abbott and Richard Bissell based on Bissell's novel "7 1/2 Cents". The original 1955 Broadway production won the Tony Award for Best Musical, and Bob Fosse won his first of many Tonys for Best Choreography. The recent 2006 Broadway revival starred Harry Connick Jr. and won the Tony Award for Best Musical Revival with Kathleen Marshall also winning for Best Choreography. CRT's production will be the first time this theatre has presented the musical, which will also be the first professional production in Central New York in years.
Performances of CRT's "The Pajama Game" will be presented from July 7 - 24 with evening performances at 7:30. Matinees are available on July 9, 11, 14, 18 and 21 at 2:00 PM. Tickets may be purchased by calling 800-427-6160 or in person at the CRT Box Office at 37 Franklin Street in Cortland. Tickets are also available for sale 24 hours a day through the CRT website at
www.cortlandrep.org. The show is lively, fluffy and energetic, and suitable for all ages.
Set in 1954, "The Pajama Game" bristles with hot music, electric dances and steamy situations as it tells the tale of a seemingly impossible romance between the new superintendent of the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory, Sid Sorkin and the Chair of the company's Union Grievance Committee, Babe Williams. The lovers find themselves on opposite sides of a smoldering tug of war during a union strike demanding a 7 ½ cent raise. With a clever and funny script, the show is filled with goofy characters including Hines the clock-watching foreman, his quirky girlfriend Gladys and Mabel, a wise-cracking secretary. The score features the frisky dance numbers "Steam Heat" and "Hernando's Hideaway" as well as popular standards "I'm Not At All In Love" and "Hey There", which became a Top 40 hit by
Rosemary Clooney.
"We're very excited to be bringing this timeless musical to CRT for the first time." says CRT Producing Artistic Director Kerby Thompson. "We've got an incredible cast and production team put together, so we're sure this show will be the highlight of an already spectacular season."
The director of "The Pajama Game" is
Bert Bernardi, whose previous CRT credits include "Johnny Guitar", "Over the River and Through the Woods" and "The Great American Trailer Park Musical". Choreography is by Daniel Hess, whose work was seen in CRT's "Damn Yankees", "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" and "Almost Heaven: The Music of
John Denver". Music Direction is handled by
Ethan Deppe, in his fifth show at CRT.
Playing the star-crossed lovers are two actors who have become CRT favorites:
Sonya Cooke, fresh from her starring role in "Spider's Web", making her CRT singing debut as Babe Williams and Marc Goldhaber, who appeared in CRT's comedy "Leading Ladies" and in musical tributes to both
Frank Sinatra and
Tony Bennett, will play Sid Sorokin. Not so coincidentally, Cooke and Goldhaber also played opposite each other in CRT's "Over the River and Through the Woods". Also returning is SALT Award nominee Dominick Varney as Vernon Hines, the clock-watcher foreman. Varney appeared in "Damn Yankees" and "Leading Ladies" among many other CRT productions. Rounding out the four leading characters is dancer and comedienne Amy Desiato making her CRT debut, as Gladys, Hines' girlfriend.
CRT performing intern
Aaron Fried plays Prez, the flirty Union President.
Gerard Pauwels is in his third production this season, playing Mr. Hasler the owner of the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory and Kelly Goyette makes her CRT debut as his secretary Mabel. Familiar local actor Bob Finley returns to play Pop.
The singing and dancing ensemble is comprised of CRT performing interns and visiting professionals. Interns include
Annie Duckett, Kaitlyn Frotton, Sean Patrick Gibbons, Crystal Gramkee, and Brendon North. "Steam Heat" will be danced by Matthew Couvillon and Ben Gleichauf, with Alex Piper and Marc Cornes playing factory workers and salesmen. SUNY Cortland actress Annali Fuchs joins dance captain Marissa Dompe in rounding out the ensemble.
Stage Manager Kris Valentine is charged with organizing the production and crew. Design staff includes many CRT returnees including Scenic Designer Jason Bolan, from last year's "Damn Yankees", Costume Designer
Jimmy Johansmeyer, who has handled many designs over the last six seasons, Lighting Designer Shawn Boyle and Sound Designer Dave Huber, both in their second CRT summer.
Syracuse Stage Designer Sam Sheehan joins CRT for his first show as Props Master. Zarin Barnes continues as Technical Director as does
Kate Wilson as Assistant Stage Manager.
CRT continues the tradition of "Friday Night Talk Backs" at which a Q & A session with the actors, designers and crew take place after every Friday evening performance. Tickets are also on sale for the rest of CRT's summer season, including the upcoming "Brigadoon", the CNY premiere of the comedy "Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks", "The Andrews Brothers" and four performances of the children's show "The Jungle Book". See CRT's website for more details at www.cortlandrep.org.
