Review: 5th Ave's PAJAMA GAME Delivers the Steam Heat

There's this little subsection of musical theater from the 50's and 60's that are big crowd pleasers due to the fact they were just plain fun. Sure, sometimes they dealt with issues as well but for the most part they were toe tapping good times. One of those that falls into this category is definitely "The Pajama Game" currently playing at the 5th Avenue Theatre. And while it may not be the best example of a solid show from that era, it's still a hell of a lot of fun and this production takes that fun and amps it up to 11 due in large part to some fantastic choreography from Bob Richard and a killer cast.

The "issue" that George Abbott, Richard Bissell, Richard Adler and Jerry Ross were trying to get across was that of unionizing, a hot button topic of that era. In this case the unionization of the Sleep Tite Pajama Factory and their demand for a 7 and a half cent raise. The workers demands are lead by Babe Williams (Billie Wildrick), a no nonsense powerhouse. But Babe's union goals begin to get a little fuzzy when the new handsome Superintendent Sid Sorokin (Josh Davis) is brought in to handle things and, of course, the two fall for each other. But will this romance derail their demands to the factory owner Mr. Hasler (David Pichette) and will the workers need to go on strike?

As I said, it's not the greatest show out there. Unlike Adler and Ross' other big hit, "Damn Yankees", the songs fall victim to one of my biggest pet peeves in musical theatre, they don't really move the story along. And while normally this would be the kiss of death for me, the songs are so much fun that you forget we've paused the show. Songs like "Hernando's Hideaway", "Hey There", and "Steam Heat", just to name a few of the standards that came out of this show, are all super fun. So when you take those super fun songs and combine them with the wonderful Bill Berry staging, rousing Joel Fram music direction and high energy and precise Bob Richard choreography then what you have is a show that's sure to please.

And please they do thanks to the final ingredient, the incredible ensemble cast. Wildrick and Davis have unstoppable chemistry together with Davis' matinee idol looks and Richard Kiley-esque voice and Wildrick's effervescent stage presence and killer pipes. The two of them would make for a fine show alone but then we add in the supporting players each of who bring in their own moments of playful brilliance. Greg McCormick Allen and Sarah Rose Davis could not be more fun and adorable as the jealous time study man Hines and his free spirited girlfriend Gladys And Davis' rendition of "Hernando's Hideaway" was equal parts stunning and hilarious. Shaunyce Omar brought in her own hilarity as the sassy secretary Mabel. And I must mention the incredible Taryn Darr, Ryan PatRick Kelly and Davione Gordon who turned in an outstanding rendition of the sultry "Steam Heat". And if Darr's dancing chops weren't enough she brings those dancer skills into her comedic chops as her whole body gets thrown into some outstanding physical comedy.

With an exceptional production like this, my minor qualms with the show get easily thrown out the window. And so with my three letter rating system I give the 5th Avenue Theatre's production of "The Pajama Game" a steamy YAY. Just sit back and let the fun wash over you.

"The Pajama Game" performs at the 5th Avenue Theatre through March 5th. For tickets or information contact the 5th Avenue Theatre box office at 206-625-1900 or visit them online at www.5thavenue.org.

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