Sparks fly and romance is in the air with the Lyons Jr./Sr. High School musical department's coming production of The Pajama Game. The musical comedy is presented in cooperation with the Lyons Community Players. Dates are March 16, 17, 18.

The musical was written by George Abbot and Richard Bissell and based on Bisell's novel 7 1/2 CENTS. The show premiered on Broadway in 1954, with a successful run of 1000 performances and was adapted as a film in 1957.

The plot centers around Sid Sorokin, the new superintendent of the Sleep-Tite Pajama Company, who runs into Babe Williams, the head of the union grievance committee. The eternal battle between management and labor, and between man and woman, ensues with added intrigue between Hines, the erratic efficiency expert, and Gladys, the boss's (Mr. Hasler) private secretary. Set against the back drop of a long standing union/management dispute, the company is soon boiling over with all sorts of passion.

Starring in the production are Tom Mastrangelo (Mr. Hasler), Blake Marshall (Sid Sorokin), Erica Gansz (Babe Williams), Kyle Clark (Hines), Kristen Lowe (Gladys), Bill Hummel (Prez), Annie Barbi (Mable), and Amanda Wykle (Mae).

Other cast members include Emily Wunder, Jenny Hagen, Katie Wolfer, Jennifer Gifford, Michael Burke, Jeremy Beasley, Luke Stoep, Ben Stoep, and a large talented group of dancers, chorus members, pit band, stage and technical crews.

Three evening performances of The Pajama Game are scheduled for March 16 at 7 p.m., March 17 at 8 p.m., and March 18 at 8 p.m. in the auditorium at the Lyons Jr./Sr. High School, 10 Clyde Road.

Advance sale tickets are available at the school box office weekdays 7:30-8:30 a.m. and 5:30-7 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or call 946.6241.

Reserved seats are $7, Adults $5, Seniors and Students $4 (general admission tickets are $1 more the evening of performance).

Cast and crew will be collecting used and new pajamas to donate to various charities, including: The Even Start program, Victim Resource Center, American Red Cross, and the Hillside Children's Home.

Cast and crew members will be distributing the pajamas after the March 18 show.

top of page