EMA REVIEW: The Pajama Game **** Scrumptious

Rich “yesteryear” Pajama Game

By Paul Atreides

Author, Playwright, and Theatre Critic at EatMoreArtVegas.compaul-atreides.com  

Each year, Las Vegas Little Theatre (LVLT) marks the Summer with a musical. This time it’s The Pajama Game, based on 7-1/2 Cents, a 1953 novel by Richard Bissell. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1954 with music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross and book by George Abbott and Richard Bissell.

The current climate in the country, with Big Corporations versus Unions and the struggle for workers to remain afloat, makes the subject matter rather timely. LVLT’s production, directed by Steven McMillan, is still an entertaining evening in a rich “yesteryear” kind of way, mainly because it’s…well, tame. The language is tame and the subplot romance is tame, which makes it pretty much family-friendly, albeit in a PG kind of way. In one scene, Babe (Waverly Jade) is on stage dressed in only a white slip. As funny as it may seem, the timeframe of the original Broadway production made “Ooo, racy!” pop into my head.

Overall, this is a decent production. McMillan keeps the pace moving along. There are so many settings it should impress anyone to see how well the changes from one to the next are accomplished without any blackouts to speak of. Kudos to Deck Manager Lauren Tannehill and her stage crew for making those happen smoothly and seamlessly.

Opening the action with the title song, “The Pajama Game,” is Cory Pearce in the role of Hines, the man who is responsible for keeping the workers running swiftly for maximum product output. His take on “Think of the Time I Saved” is solid and funny.

There are a few other standouts in this cast of seventeen. Kevin Pettei as Sid, the new pajama plant supervisor and romantic lead, brings a Sinatra / Bublé quality to his vocals, particularly on “A New Town is a Blue Town.” Though the underlying tension in scenes with love interest Babe could be deeper. For her part, Jade does a nice job with her character, and her vocals are strong whether it’s a solo or duet. She moves with confidence and never misses a beat.

Sagine Valla is the kind of performer you can’t stop watching. Her Gladys, the plant’s accountant who cooks the books, is full-fledged, and her timing is impeccable. You can tell Valla is fearless – she takes the comedic to new heights but without stealing any other actor’s thunder. She makes “Hernando’s Hideaway” and adjacent scenes memorable.

Trenton Klinkefus does the same in his role of Prez, the leader of the Union. His singing is strong and he takes the stage with a sense of ownership and comedic timing.

In a few scenes, one actor is a standout because he comes across as stiff, one-level, and misses cues or forgets lines, which creates pauses that kill the comedy and stall the scenes he’s in.

The ensemble is filled with talent, and the vocals and dancing are sharp. Especially in “Hernando’s Hideaway,” the use of flashlights timed to the music effectively lights the actors. Whether the idea came from McMillan or lighting designer Ginny Adams, it was a bit of genius. Hallie Lyons’ choreography for “Steam Heat” has just a touch of Bob Fosse and it works well with the number (that Fosse appeared in the 1957 film adaptation, it also makes sense).

If you want an entertaining night at the theatre, if you enjoy the innocent musical stylings and comedy of the 1950s, or if you want a family show with air conditioning instead of an outdoor environment, this is definitely a show you’ll enjoy.

What: The Pajama Game

When: 7 p.m. Friday - Saturday; 2 p.m. Sundays through July 27

            2 p.m. Saturday, July 12, 19, and 26

Where: Las Vegas Little Theatre - Mainstage, 3920 Schiff Drive

Tickets: $20 to 37 (702-362-7996; www.lvlt.org)

Grade: **** Scrumptious 

Producer: Las Vegas Little Theatre; Director: Steven McMillan; Music Director: Toby McEvoy; Choreographer: Hallie Lyons; Set: Ron Lindblom; Lighting Design: Ginny Adams; Deck Manager: Lauren Tannehill; Stage Manager: Julia Osier