Newspaper Articles

The stirring music, clever choreography and taut script of The Pajama Game is running through March 9 at the Matilija Junior High School auditorium from Feb. 28 through March 9.

Nordhoff High students are reenacting this award-winning musical featuring such crowd-pleasing songs as Steam Heat, Hernandos Hideaway and Hey There.

This is the musical that launched understudy Shirley MacLaines career when it played on Broadway in 1954. She filled in for the star who, literally, did break a leg. It also augmented the popularity of musician Harry Connick Jr. when he made his acting debut during its 2006 revival.

So who knows, it could start the performing career of any number of the Nordhoff students involved who have a high level of talent, according to Director Marty Babayco.

In any case, The Pajama Game itself is a proven Tony Award winner as Best Musical in both 1954 and 2006 as Best Revival.

Also a proven winner is the Nordhoff program treating the community to Broadway musicals year after year. This delightful production brings back a team lead by Babayco and Musical Director Bill Wagner, Assistant Director Karen Courington and producer Jim Halverson, aided by choral direction by Jaye Hersh, Stage Manager Joan White and choreography by Brook Masters and Julie Hamann.

Students have put forth a tremendous amount of effort and time for this production, Babayco said, and will demonstrate their sophistication and understanding of this exciting and entertaining musical.

The Pajama Game is based on the novel 7-1/2 Cents by Richard Bissell, about union workers in a pajama factory asking for a raise. Bissell and George Abbott wrote the script and Richard Adler and Jerry Ross created the score, turning the novel into an entertaining and romantic musical.

The tension between the workers and management sparks more than one love story, especially between Sid, the factory manager (Thomas Quackenbush) and union rep Babe (Jesse Stern).

Every year we sell out, Babayco noted, urging people to get reservations early to ensure seats.

There are so many support people making it happen, class act folks, Babayco said. Parents are particularly supportive, as in this case helping the kids shop for 1950s clothing or painting the sets and so much more. Then there is the help from people who arent at all connected to the school, which Babayco describes as a groundswell of community help.

People see it as their community theater, not just the high school. The musicals bring the community together for eight nights.

Tickets are $15 adults, $10 students and seniors. Reservations are strongly advised; call 640-4343 Ext.1898 or log on to: www.nhsmusic.com.

The Pajama Game plays at the Matilija Junior High School auditorium, 703 El Paseo in Ojai. There are five evening shows at 7 p.m. (March 1 and March 5-8 and two Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. (March 2 and 9).