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Simsbury Theatre Guild                    

The Pajama game is seriously funny in Simsbury
By John Hoyle       Nov-12-06  b

Beautiful large artistic sets, a rich,tight 22 piece orchestra, large cast with deep performing credits and a fun story all combine to make the Theatre Guild of Simsbury's Pajama Game a spectacular success.

The Theatre Guild has gone all out to stage a large production. From the very opening the audience is immediately aware of the quality and work which has gone into this show.  Conductor Willard Minton has assembled a full 22 piece orchestra that is a sight and especially a sound to behold. In an age of smaller ensembles it's a rare treat to see an orchestra of this size as well as talent. Songs are clean and tight, timing crisp. The opening musical introduction is a show in itself.

 The town of Simsbury deserves commendation for their commitment to creating a great theater space in the Simsbury High School. Spacious and comfortable seating - for over 960 people, a large, deep stage, and show-quality lighting make this a truly world-class auditorium and stage. The large marbled entrance hall serves as a spacious gathering area for intermission. This is a space of comfort and luxury that surpasses many professional theaters. Special compliments to the efficient box office volunteers. The first impression one gets of the Simsbury Guild is a friendly and professional ticket office - every patron was greeted with a warm smile.

Direction by Leslie Gallagher is typically precise. Movements are fluid and dynamic. Characters are balanced and timing never lags. The show moves along at a very comfortable clip. The cast is clearly comfortable and has built close chemistry. Opening night was as tight as any I've yet seen.

The show takes place in a 1940's Pajama Factory in Cedar Rapids Iowa. Introducing the scene is Hines - the time study man, a role perfectly clocked by Michael Ray. The tight fast-paced opening number sets the expectation that this will remain a quality show. Ray, as Hines,  will take the stage many times - always adding his personal touch of humor. In one of the shows most hilariously funny scenes, he demonstrates his knife tossing skills at the company picnic. Later in the show, Ray delivers a superb comic performance in 'Think of the time I save'. This was particularly humorous to me as my own father was a time study man for a local corporation.

With a colorful expressive set, we are introduced to the factory workers and the motive force behind the shows action - a union request for a very strongly desired 7 1/2 cent per hour raise. Not much, even by the day's standard, but the object of every employee's dream. Later in the show, in a wonderful expose' of human hope - a great number '7-1/2 Cents' is performed by the unions chronically agitated president, Prez (Chip Janiszewski), union representative, Babe Williams (Jessica Ferraday) and the ensemble.  This song humorously portrays the difference between imagined desire and reality.

New to the company management is plant Superintendent; Sid Soronkin (Rob Thornton). The role of Sid is written as the lead and Rob Thornton has no trouble conveying the part. Thornton presents an immediately strong, sensitive leader who falls for Babe (Jessica Ferraday) on first sight. A highlight of the show is an enchanting and stirring "Hey There" performed by Thornton to his own backup.  Holding her ground alongside this incredibly talented leading man, is Jessica Ferraday as Babe. Babe is also immediately smitten with Sid,  and she delivers a wonderful "I'm not at all in Love" in another of the show-stealing numbers, all while being wheeled around on an office cart by her female ensemble. This makes for an exquisite scene. Ferraday is strikingly beautiful and is a perfect leading lady for Thornton's lead man. Both leads have well honed and  obvious chemistry; can sing, dance and make an uncommonly attractive stage couple.

Matters are complicated when hard-boiled company president "Old Man Hasler" (a terrific intense straight-man Rick Anderson) denies the raise.  These events force Babe, as union rep, and Sid - superintendent - into direct conflict. Their rosy relationship is thrust onto the rocks when Sid is forced to fire Babe.

Sid decides to investigate company expenses and takes secretary Glady's (Dianne Rothenberg delivering a superbly energetic performance) to Hernando's Hideaway where he manages to get the key - and apparently could have gotten the person holding it. Sid goes digging into the presidents books.  He discovers that the president has been pocketing  the 71/2 cent raise himself while showing it as an employee payroll expense. With a series of exceptionally comical and fast paced routines, things ultimately work out and the couple is reunited by the end.

This show is fun-filled and loaded with very memorable and beautifully delivered songs.

When taken as a whole - the combination of large sets, full orchestra, and abundant talent, this easily makes for one of the years outstanding productions.

This is an immediate classic - You don't want to miss this production!

Tickets Available at door.