Review of "THE PAJAMA GAME" at The 5th Avenue Theatre — No slumber at this lively party.

The Pajama Game, at The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, now through March 5, 2017, invites your news-weary brain to slip into something more comfortable. But don't expect to get any sleep. This rollicking musical packs great music, dance, and song into a tale of workplace romance, office politics, and labor union woes, all with a happy resolution. Based on a 1953 novel called 7 1/2 Cents, by Richard Bissell, it portrays both romantic and economic conflicts in a story about the struggles employees of the Sleep-Tite pajama factory face when they ask for a raise in that amount. The company's owner, Mr. Hasler (David Pichette), will have none of it and expects his handsome new hire, Supervisor Sid Sorokin (Josh Davis) to support and enforce his views. When Sorokin falls for the union's Grievance Committee head, Katherine "Babe" Williams (Billie Wildrick), the sexual tension heats up, especially with the two of them on opposite sides of the issue. The story is dated, true, but put it in the context of society in the 1950s, get past the issues, and just enjoy it for what it is.

Sid Sorokin (Joshua Davis) and Katherine "Babe" Williams (Billie Wildrick)  in The Pajama Game at The 5th Avenue Theatre.
Photo credit Tracy Martin

George Abbott and Richard Bissell wrote the book for this musical, which first opened on Broadway on May 13, 1954, winning Tony Awards® in 1955 in three categories— Best Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical, for Carol Haney, and Best Choreography, for Bob Fosse. Richard Adler and Jerry Ross wrote the music and lyrics for this and their other hit, Damn Yankees, before Ross died suddenly and unexpectedly in 1955. Unlike other teams, Adler and Ross were each both composer and lyricist and contributed their skills equally. Post war musicals, like the era's pop music (not counting rock 'n' roll) had a tamer, more civilized sound than during the Swing Years. The energy of The Pajama Game harkened back to the spectacularly jazzy and lively musicals of the 1930s. Tunes like Steam Heat, Hey There, There Once Was a Man, and Hernado's Hideaway thrilled audiences and became hits in their own right. 

Gladys (Sarah Rose Davis) dances at Hernando's Hideaway in The Pajama Game at The 5th Avenue Theatre.
Photo credit Tracy Martin

No group of musicians could have performed these tunes better than the fabulous orchestra at The 5th Avenue Theatre did when I attended on opening night. With musical direction by Joel Fram, this orchestra deserves much of the credit for The 5th Avenue having become the nation's supreme home for musical theater. The 17 members were flawless in their abilities. Even the volume seemed perfect. And speaking of sounds, Sound Designer Ken Travis made magic. Touches like the hiss of steam irons helped bring it all to life.

The company of The Pajama Game at The 5th Avenue Theatre.
Photo credit Mark Kitaoka

Director Bill Berry brought out the absolute best in this talented cast, where even minor parts make major contributions to a production packed full of fun. Here is an Ensemble so full of characters with distinct and memorable personalities. The chemistry of the lead couple felt realistic in their portrayal of the hot and cold, angst and ecstasy of being madly in love.  The first chance to hear Davis sing was his solo number A New Town is a Blue Town. The power of his voice made me eager to hear more. Then, when he and Wildrick sang as a duo, I loved the way their two fine voices seem as made for each other as their characters were. They blended beautifully, which is not always the case. 

Hines (Greg McCormick Allen) and Mabel (Shaunyce Omar) in The Pajama Game at The 5th Avenue Theatre. 
​Photo credit Mark Kitaoka

Other relationships, whether romantic or casual, offered just as much sparkle. Factory foreman, Hines (Greg McCormick) has a serious jealousy problem concerning his flirtatious girlfriend, the boss's secretary Gladys (Sarah Rose Davis). He deals with it (unconvincingly) with hilarious help from the receptionist, Mabel (Shaunyce Omar) in the song I'll Never be Jealous Again. Omar, McCormick, Omar, and Davis all infused their characters with so much personality they will stick in your mind. So will the boss, Mr. Hasler. Pichette gave a fun and fiery performance. So did Taryn Darr as Mae, the hot blooded, redhead union member. Other fine performances were given by Kyle Robert Carter, as the union "Prez," Allen Galli, as Babe's "Pop," and the charismatic Lauren Du Pree in the role of the employee Brenda and as a member of the Ensemble.

Prez (Kyle Carter) and Mae (Taryn Darr) in The Pajama Game at The 5th Avenue Theatre.
Photo credit Tracy Martin

Bob Richard's perfect choreography (including the tap numbers I always crave) contributed so much to the revelation of character and emotion, as much as any singing or acting. Director Bill Berry, in addition to allover excellence in direction, would be the one to thank for the impactful touches of physical comedy so important to the enjoyment factor in this production. This cast is obviously having a great time, and the audience feels that vibe. 

Outside of the non-stop movement and actual dancing, the greatest visual impact came from the wow-worthy set designs, costumes, and lighting, by Carol Wolfe Clay, Rose Peterson, and Robert J. Aguilar, respectively. Wooden posts supporting the roof inside the factory magically turned into the trucks of leafy trees in a park or surrounding a house. Period perfect clothing was a delight, and the lighting used during the scene of the company picnic on a summer day seemed so natural I could almost feel the heat. Other times, as in the nightclub scene at Hernando's Hideaway, creative use of lighting made the mood.

The company of The Pajama Game at The 5th Avenue Theatre.
Photo credit Tracy Martin

Whenever I watch a performance, I think about what it takes, including behind the scenes, to pull a great show together. Everyone involved gives it all they have. However, even as a reviewer who likes to emphasize the positive, I still often observe aspects of plays and musicals that, in my opinion, detract at least slightly. On our long drive home after each show we see, my husband and I discuss and compare our impressions. In this case we heartily agreed that this production of The Pajama Game is a masterpiece, possibly the best musical we have ever seen at The 5th Avenue. Dare I call it flawless? YES! For the first time ever, I will!

I recommend going to the theater's online box office right now to order tickets for The Pajama Game immediately. 

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"LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS" CHOMPS INTO BOTH YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR AND YOUR HEART AT ACT THEATRE

Seymour (Joshua Carter) and the Audrey II (puppeteer: Eric Esteb, voice: Ekello Harrid Jr.) in Little Shop of Horrors, a co-production of ACT and The 5th Avenue Theatre.  
Credit: Tracy Martin

       Comedy is comedy, but black comedy grins while it sinks its teeth into the mind and hits that ticklish spot where humor and horror pulse in unison, side-by-side. As I sat in the audience watching Little Shop of Horrors consume a willing audience in the intimacy of ACT's Falls Theater, I couldn't quit looking at the colorful and ever growing Audrey II, the carnivorous plant at the center of this story. 
       Seymour (Joshua Carter), is an awkward young flower shop employee with a crush on fellow employee, beautiful Audrey (Jessica Skerritt). He finds his "nice guy" limits tested in this hilariously twisted morality tale. It's all about his relationship with the bloodthirsty plant, who turns out to be a nightmarish version of a genie in a bottle, only this time it's a flower pot. Made of bright, plush fabric and as pretty as a child's stuffed toy, Audrey II fascinated most of us, I suspect. Against that soft and seemingly huggable exterior, its pink "lips" and shark-like teeth, set in a blood red mouth, contrasted obscenely.

      

Seymour (Joshua Carter) and Orin Scrivello, DDS (David Anthony Lewis) in Little Shop of Horrors, a co-production of ACT and The 5th Avenue Theatre.  
Credit: Mark Kitaoka

       If you thought no version of A Little Shop of Horrors could compare with the 1986 hit movie by the same name—with Steve Martin, John Candy, Bill Murray, and Ellen Greene—you will be delighted to be wrong. The acting, singing, and physical comedy in this show, the fourth killer collaboration between ACT—A Contemporary Theater and The 5th Avenue is as good as it gets. In fact, I much prefer Jessica Skerritt as the female protagonist, Audrey, over Greene. Even while we laughed at her funny lines, Skerritt's excellent acting abilities turned what could be a stereotypical "dumb blonde" into a character who could be any woman ever trapped in an abusive, even dangerous, relationship because of low self-esteem and the need for what passes as "love." Super talented David Anthony Lewis played her bully of a boyfriend, the sadistic dentist Orin Scrivello, D.D.S. He insults and humiliates her in his exaggerated and comedic way, but the undercurrents aren't funny at all.

Seymour (Joshua Carter) and Audrey (Jessica Skerritt) in Little Shop of Horrors, a co-production of ACT and The 5th Avenue Theatre.  
Credit: Mark Kitaoka

        There is simply no way I can give this show anything but a totally positive review. As I watched it, I shook my head over its perfection. I loved Jeff Steitzer as the grumbling flower shop owner, Mushnik, and Joshua Carter made Seymour very memorable. With Skerritt's singing and acting, you will wonder how the city of Seattle can be lucky enough to hang on to her. To the young belles of Skid Row, Ronnette (Nicole Rashida Prothro), Chiffon (Alexandria Henderson) and Crystal (Naomi Morgan) I offer two thumbs up. They were great. Last but not least, Ekello J. Harrid, Jr, as the voice of Audrey II, and Eric Esteb as the Audrey II puppeteer, deserve plenty of applause. Orchestra, lighting, costumes, makeup, all of it contributed to a huge success.

The trio (l-r) Ronette (Nicole Rashida Prothro), and Crystal (Naomi Morgan), Chiffon (Alexandria Henderson) with Seymour (Joshua Carter) in Little Shop of Horrors, a co-production of ACT and The 5th Avenue Theatre.  
Credit: Tracy Martin

       Brilliantly directed by Bill Berry, this production of A Little Shop of Horrors has a sharp edge on its sense of fun. Like the Grimm's fairy tales that left children of earlier generations wide-eyed under the covers at night, it is spellbinding entertainment that pokes at our deepest fears: loneliness, emotional and physical pain, loss of control, and a gruesome death. We can laugh at the antics of the characters, their outlandish behavior, and how they fall prey to their own weaknesses, but underneath lies the greatest fear of all, the fear that perhaps each of us really does have our price, in spite of our denial. 

       I don't mean to sound too serious. I laughed again and again, and I didn't dwell too long on thoughts of morality. Believe me, when caught up in the fun of one evening's hilarious fantasy, you will at least rent out your soul for a couple of hours if you don't sell it outright. 

       The show runs through June 15, 2014, but you'd better order tickets soon. I hear they are disappearing as quickly as Audrey II's appetizers. 

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Fall in Love With the New Musical "First Date" -- a review

The best material for humor comes from ordinary, yet extraordinarily uncomfortable, everyday situations. Think of a first date, especially a blind date. Now, a partnership between Seattle’s two acclaimed not-for-profit theaters— The 5th Avenue Theatre and ACT– A Contemporary Theatre—proves this truth in a most hilarious, fresh, honest, and occasionally even poignant format: a new musical called “First Date.” I drove the freeway from Tacoma through monsoon-like rains and high winds to see this show on opening night, and within the first five minutes I knew I would have hated to miss it.

Aaron (Eric Ankrim) and Casey (Kelly Karbacz) in First Date, a co-production between ACT and The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo: Chris Bennion

This world premiere runs through May 20, 2012, at ACT, in the Falls Theatre, where there every seat offers a perfect view. If you don’t see it in the Northwest you might have to buy a plane ticket. “FirstDate” seems destined for New York, where it could add its own luminosity to The Great White Way. It might even launch a new age of appreciation for this art form. Before I write another word, here is the link to the box office. You might want to order your tickets now—even before you finish reading this—or they could be sold out.

I delighted in discovering the team of Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, whose music and lyrics just kept knocking me out with their wit and perfect tone. Those two talents, when combined with Austin Winsberg—who wrote the book for “First Date”—constitute a trio with the potential to change theater history. Add to that, all the other members of the team, from both theater companies, and you have the perfect recipe for what is already looking like a major hit. With musical supervision and arrangements by Dominick Amendum, musical staging by Josh Prince, and direction by Bill Berry, success was a certainty. Every song, every scene, brought a tidal wave of applause.

Kelly Karbacz (center) plays Casey in the world premiere of First Date, a co-production of ACT and The 5th Avenue Theatre. Also pictured l-r: Rich Gray as the waiter and Brandon O’Neill and Billie Wildrick as fellow diners.
Photo: Chris Bennion



If the word “musical” makes you think of the 1950s—and let’s admit it, some rather silly scenarios —you are in for a big surprise.  In fact, the element of surprise in “FirstDate” kept the audience alert and engaged to the point that the time went by too quickly, leaving me wanting more.  You won’t hear the typical musical styles or watch the typical hero and heroine fall in love. This time reality takes on a starring role. This musical feels so much like real life it might make you gasp with surprise, cringe with remembered embarrassment, realize how some things never change, or feel relieved that you never lived through a date as awkward as this one. But no matter what, I guarantee it will make you laugh from beginning to end.

Even those who have known only the most sheltered and innocent existence can appreciate the angst of two people who meet at a bar/restaurant on a blind date.  The female lead, Casey—played by Kelly Karbacz— is cynical and is usually attracted to bad boys.  The male lead, Aaron—played by Eric Ankrim—works in the world of finance and comes off as a nerd. Or at least this is our first impression.  It seems all they have in common is plenty of emotional baggage.

Then the torture begins. The supporting cast members literal become all the characters represented by the nagging voices this couple hears in their heads, especially ex-lovers, but also the Jewish grandmother, the devoutly Christian father, the well-meaning but critical friends, and many more.

Aaron’s best friend—a direct opposite in personality and lifestyle—launches into rap, and also shouts, “What’s the point of imagining me if you won’t listen to a freaking word I say?” Even the search engine Google takes on a human (female) form and merrily taunts them with lyrics like “The world wide web is forever. Take note or you’re totally screwed,” reminding us of the nightmarish dilemma of a person’s web presence and profiles that never go away.



The cast of First Date, a co-production between ACT and The 5th Avenue Theatre.
Photo: Chris Bennion

Through their impressive acting and singing abilities, and the clever use of props, this talented cast continuously morphs from one zany personality to the next. The members are: Benjamin Harris, Vicki Noon, Sonya Meyer, Billie Wildrick, Brandon O’Neill, and Rich Gray and Greg McCormick Allen, who each play the role of the waiter during different phases of the musical’s run. I can’t emphasize enough that this cast, including Ankrim and Karbacz in the leads roles, stunned the audience with their talents, including singing. I had heard Ankrim sing in “Oklahoma!” but was more deeply moved by his powerful and classically beautiful voice, here.  Karbacz did an equally fine job.

In spite of all the clever and hilarious lines and the kind of  language you hear on the street but might not expect to hear in a musical, “First Date” does have a serious side, namely, our need and desire to be loved and accepted for who we really are. As the story progresses, the real Aaron and Casey, the vulnerable and loveable individuals hiding behind the walls they’ve constructed, are revealed to us, and we become invested in the wish for them to finally find true love and happiness in a plugged-in world that can seem shallow, impersonal, and cold.  

What started out looking like an impossible situation in modern times, blooms into a romance of the most classic kind, one every fan of musical theater craves.  Karbacz and Ankrim, as Casey and Aaron, provided total satisfaction when they sang the final song, “Something That Will Last.” In the real world from which these characters grew, there are no guarantees. But they show us that true love and happiness are possible in spite of the divorce rate and other depressing factors, and that the prize it is worth the risk of personal vulnerability.  As far as “First Date” itself goes, I will bet that this musical is, indeed, “Something that Will Last.”

For more information contact either theater.

The 5th Avenue Theatre: http://www.5thavenue.org   
Box Office: (206) 625-1900 or (888) 5TH-4TIX

ACT- A Contemporary Theatre: http://www.acttheatre.org
Box Office: (206) 292-7676

FREE EVENT: Community Day at the 5th Avenue Theatre Celebrates Opening of "Oklahoma"

When I hear the word "Oklahoma" the first thing I think of is the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical by that name, its theme song swelling up in my imagination until I feel like dancing "where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain," even though I'm still in Tacoma. I doubt if any other musical has ever seemed so quintessentially American  or remained so relevant and stirring for seven decades. Now America is about to discover it in a newer, even more relevant form. 

Eric Ankrim stars as Curly in the 5th Avenue Theatre's Production of "Oklahoma!"
photo by Curt Doughty     courtesy of the 5th Avenue Theatre

The nation's love affair with this musical began back in 1943 when it caused a sensation, viewed as groundbreaking in that it had a serious story instead of simply offering lighthearted entertainment. It was also the first Broadway musical choreographed by Agnes de Mille. At that time, few would have imagined that all these years later, Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre would bring back "Oklahoma!" with a fresh burst of  vitality.

It opens on Feb. 3, 2012 and runs until March 4, and is bound to captivate audiences all over again. To celebrate, the theater is holding a Community Day, on Saturday, Feb. 4, and YOU are invited. Learn to line dance, sing a song, take a tour of the theater. There will be fun activities for the whole family, and all are FREE. (see schedule below)

I spoke with Producing Director Bill Berry, who described this production as "a traditional version of  'Oklahoma!' with some surprises along the way."  Some of those surprises will be the result of a $60,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, that helped make it possible for the 5th Avenue to hire famed choreographer Donald Byrd, and Spectrum, his dance company.

I will be going to see the show, so watch for my review in an upcoming blog post. But in the meantime, you can learn all about it at the Community Day celebration. There is plenty to celebrate. How lucky we are, here in the Pacific Northwest, to have the 5th Avenue Theatre and all the talented people involved with it. The arts matter to all of us, enriching our lives. If you haven't already discovered the magical world of the 5th Avenue Theatre, the Community Day offers you the opportunity, and it won't cost you a dime.

COMMUNITY DAY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

10:00 AM

· Learn a song from Oklahoma! with Chris DiStefano, professional vocal director for The Oklahoma! Project. Best suited for adults and kids ages 6 and up.

· Tour the Historic 5th Avenue Theatre. Best suited for adults and kids ages 6 and up.

· Create your own bandana! Appropriate for ALL ages.

10:30 AM

· In honor of The 5th Avenue Theatre’s Chinese-inspired heritage, come watch the Lions Dance under The 5th Avenue Theatre Marquee! The Lieu Quan Lion Dance Team will perform a Cai Qing ceremony blessing the theatre, celebrating the Year of the Dragon, a magical creature prominently featured in the theatre’s design. Appropriate for ALL ages.

11:00 AM

· Show Talk: “The Downtown Historic Theatre District” – A panel discussion hosted by our own Managing Director Bernadine Griffin about our Downtown Historic Theater District and the impact of the arts on our community. Best suited for adults and kids ages 16 and up.

· At “Sing-a-Story” with Amber Flame, kids will get hands-on with music, learning new songs and playing with instruments. Appropriate for kids ages 1-5.

· Learn a Country Line Dance with our popular Broadway Fit instructor Troy Wageman. Best suited for adults and kids ages 12 and up.

· The first sneak peek of an original musical: Klondike!, a story about Gold Rush pioneers presented by our Adventure Music Theatre Touring Company. Best suited for adults and kids ages 6 and up.

· Tour the Historic 5th Avenue Theatre. Best suited for adults and kids ages 6 and up.

· Create your own bandana! Appropriate for ALL ages.

11:30 AM

· Tour the Historic 5th Avenue Theatre. Best suited for adults and kids ages 6 and up.

· Create your own bandana! Appropriate for ALL ages.

12:00 PM

· Show Talk: “The Music of Richard Rodgers” – A family friendly exploration of the music of Richard Rodgers with our beloved 5th Avenue Theatre Dramaturg Albert Evans. Best suited for adults and kids ages 11 and up.

· At “Sing-a-Story” with Amber Flame, kids will get hands-on with music, learning new songs and playing with instruments. Appropriate for kids ages 1-5.

· Create your own bandana! Appropriate for ALL ages.

12:45 PM

· The first sneak peek of an original musical: Klondike!, a story about Gold Rush pioneers presented by our Adventure Music Theatre Touring Company. Best suited for adults and kids ages 6 and up.

1:00 PM

· Show Talk: “Oklahoma! The Ground Breaking Musical” with local Richard Rodgers scholar Geoffrey Block, an award-winning history professor from the University of Puget Sound. Best suited for adults and kids ages 16 and up.

· Create your own bandana! Appropriate for ALL ages.

1:45 PM

· Learn a Country Line Dance with our popular Broadway Fit instructor Troy Wageman. Best suited for adults and kids ages 12 and up.

2:00 PM

· Show Talk: “Students of The Oklahoma! Project” – Hear this fascinating panel discussion featuring the students in The Oklahoma! Project – our exciting program that puts Seattle teens directly on The 5th Avenue stage. Best suited for adults and kids ages 6 and up.

· Create your own bandana! Appropriate for ALL ages.

2:30 PM

· Learn a song from Oklahoma! with Chris DiStefano, professional vocal director for The Oklahoma! Project. Best suited for adults and kids ages 6 and up

33:00 PM

· Show Talk: “The Music of Richard Rodgers” ” – A family friendly exploration of the music of Richard Rodgers with our beloved 5th Avenue Theatre Dramaturg Albert Evans. Best suited for adults and kids ages 11 and up.

· Learn a Country Line Dance with our popular Broadway Fit instructor Troy Wageman. Best suited for adults and kids ages 12 and up.

· Create your own bandana! Appropriate for ALL ages.

3:45 PM

· Learn a song from Oklahoma! with Chris DiStefano, professional vocal director for The Oklahoma! Project. Best suited for adults and kids ages 6 and up.

4:00 PM

· Create your own bandana! Appropriate for ALL ages.

4:15 PM

· Learn a Country Line Dance with our popular Broadway Fit instructor Troy Wageman. Best suited for adults and kids ages 12 and up.

5:00 PM

· Show Talk: “Our Great Indigenous Art Form: The Musical” – The 5th Avenue’s Executive Producer and Artistic Director David Armstrong leads a special Oklahoma! Panel Discussion with local musical theater experts and authors Larry Starr (University of Washington) and Geoffrey Block (University of Puget Sound), along with all-around musical scholar Albert Evans (The 5th Avenue Theatre Resident Dramaturg). Best suited for adults and kids ages 11 and up.