A union strike at a pajama factory generates plenty of steam heat in the toe-tapping, comedic love story, "The Pajama Game," the Spring musical production from the Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department.
Auditions for the energetic musical from the team of Richard Adler and Jerry Ross are scheduled for 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 22 in Deckmann Studio at the Mendel Center on LMC's Benton Harbor campus.
"This flirty 1950s romp is light-hearted and filled with love, laughter, dancing and fun," LMC Theatre Coordinator and Stage Director Paul Mow said. “It’s a surefire springtime crowd-pleaser for the whole family.”
Brimming with songs and dances that have become musical theatre standards, including "Steam Heat" and "Hernando's Hideaway," “The Pajama Game” was awarded the 1955 Tony for Best Musical and, over half of a century later, claimed the award for Best Revival of a Musical.
Conditions at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory are anything but peaceful as sparks fly between new superintendent, Sid Sorokin, and Babe Williams, leader of the union grievance committee. Their stormy relationship comes to a head when the workers strike for a 7 ½-cent pay increase, setting off not only a conflict between management and labor, but a battle of the sexes as well.
"The Pajama Game" will be performed on the Mendel Center Mainstage on March 27, 28 & 29 with a full orchestra led by LMC Music Director Kris Zook. Along with Mow and Zook, rehearsals will take place with choreographer Patrick Ross, theatre instructor Les Rorick, rehearsal accompanist Gabby Smith, and costume designer Julie Smiy beginning in late January.
“We’ve assembled a fantastic team once again here at LMC who can’t wait to begin working with a big cast on this big stage,” Mow said.
In addition to LMC enrolled students, community performers age 14 and older are encouraged to audition. Those auditioning should prepare 1-2 selections of at least 32 bars of musical theatre or similar repertoire and a monologue. Those who do not have a prepared monologue will be asked to cold read from the script.
For questions or more information, email LMC Theatre Coordinator Paul Mow or contact the Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department by calling (269) 927-8876 or visiting the webpage.
“The Pajama Game” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
