|
WMU Home > About WMU > WMU News
Bob Fosse's "Pajama Game" staged in Shaw TheatreNov. 5, 2005 KALAMAZOO--A musical battle of the sexes comes to Kalamazoo as the University Theatre stages seven performances of "The Pajama Game" Thursday, Nov. 10 through Sunday, Nov. 20. Performances in Shaw Theatre at Western Michigan University begin at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 10-12 and 17-19. A single matinee performance begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20. An opening night reception sponsored by Millennium Restaurant Group will take place after the Nov. 10 performance. "The Pajama Game" playfully narrates a strike for higher wages at the Sleep-Tite pajama factory, where the mostly-male managers and mostly-female workers fall out-of-tune over a mere 7-1/2 cents. Through songs like "Steam Heat" and "Hernando's Hideaway," a little on-the-job romance develops and eventually brings both sides to an amicable agreement. "The Pajama Game" introduced Bob Fosse's choreography to America in the mid-1950's, and it became the hit that launched his Broadway career. Fosse emphasized small groups of dancers, drilled down to the twist of a little finger, executing steps which seem to take the human body apart and make each piece work separately. The University Theatre will re-create some of Fosse's choreography for this production. Professor Jay Berkow directs "The Pajama Game," with musical direction by Jamie Reed and choreography by Tony Calucci. The cast of the production includes WMU seniors Lindsay Foreman, Joel Gelman, Nicole Horton, and Adam Steiner; juniors Bill Burkhardt, Kelly Feight, Justin Goodemoot, Lars Valdor Haglund, Allison Hendrix, Alicia Infantino, Sharmaine McGinnis, Chelsea Rogers, Caitlin Sams, and Sandy Zweir; and sophomores Christopher Nuccio and Ashleigh Twining. The production staff includes Palmer Jankens, sound designer; and Christina Van Hoey, stage manager. Faculty designers Greg Roehrick, scenery; Matt Knewtson, lighting; Gwendolyn Nagle, costumes; round out the creative team. Tickets for "The Pajama Game" range from $16 to $7 and may be purchased by calling (269) 387-6222 or visiting the University Theatre Ticket Office weekdays noon and 5 p.m. Box offices at Miller Auditorium and the Epic Center also sell tickets to University Theatre productions. Additional information is available online at www.wmich.edu/theatre. The 2005-06 University Theatre season is made possible through a partnership with the Millennium Restaurant Group. Media contact: Patrick Donnelly, (269) 387-6222, patrick.donnelly@wmich.edu WMU News |
