Stepping Out

Every once in awhile, the audience comes across a good musical that they’ve never heard of. These are the exception. The reasoning is usually; “if it was any good, I would have heard of it by now.”

This is NOT always the case. Kamiak Drama’s latest effort, Tony award winning The Pajama Game, is a perfect example of that belief being wrong.

The story takes place in a garment factory. Specifically, a pajama factory. Babe Williams works alongside all the other workers. But they feel overworked and underpaid. They start a labor dispute that would raise their salary 7.5 percent.

At the same time, Babe admits something to herself that her coworkers have known for ages – she’s in love with one of the higher-ups, Sid Sorokin, who is equally in love with her.

Factory workers in a pajama factory sing ‘7 1/2 Cent’ as they threaten to strike for a 7 1/2 cent raise.  Not seen are about 25 hardworking techies behind the scenes and 25 student musicians in the pit orchestra.

After things heat up between them, things start steaming up at work as well. And not in a good way. Sid’s job depends on keeping the workers under control so that his boss Hasler doesn’t have to give into their demands. But if Sid wins the dispute, will he lose the girl of his dreams?

Theirs is not the only office romance, either. Hines and Gladys are always questioning each other’s fidelity, even though it’s obvious that neither of them is guilty of anything. Unless they’re trying to get back at each other for their imaginary dalliances.

There are also Mae and Prez who are always upsetting each other out of insecurity. 

The music is also fantastic. There are not too many songs that you would have heard before, with the exception of ’Hernando’s Hideaway.’

But the cast is what makes this show special. Sabrina Otness plays the charismatic Babe. Hopefully Otness, a junior,  will consider a career in musical theater after graduation.

The role of tough but tender Sid is played by Rory Eaden. He has already proven his talent in acting and directing in other productions. He should keep up the good work.

Dylan Angell plays the suspicious Hines. He will graduate in June and has done a splendid job as a character actor.

Shannon Molly Flynn is terrific as the blunt Gladys. She regards Hines the same way she would regard a piece of bacon: It’s probably bad for me, but who can resist nibbling at it.

The over-stressed boss, appropriately named Hasler, is played by Alexander W. Larkin, who is also about to graduate. What he’ll do next is hard to say, but he should be watched.

There are too many wonderful students involved in this production to name them all. They’ve done an outstanding job with the costumes, the sets and the songs. They’re inviting you to their pajama party. Why miss it?

The Pajama Game plays at Kamiak at 7 p.m. April 30, May 1, 7 and 8, with a 2 p.m matinee May 8. Tickets are $12 for adults and $9 for students, children and senior citizens; matinee price is $9 for adults and $5 for students, children and senior citizens. For reserved seats call (425) 356-6654, ext. 3, or levinelt@mukilteo.wedent.edu.