Theater Review

Tom Titus

“The Pajama Game,” enjoying a sprightly revival at the Newport Theater

Arts Center, is one of those oldies but pretty goodies that came along in

the mid-1950s, between the time Rodgers and Hammerstein were the big

noise in musical theater and the era when Stephen Sondheim used it for

his own lyrical playground.

It’s heavy on plot (union versus management in a pajama factory over a 7

1/2-cent raise) with a convenient love story (tough new plant

superintendent and the shapely “grievance committee”), not to mention a

collection of songs that have endured for four decades.

At Newport, director Terry Miller Schmidt has blended these elements into

a thoroughly enjoyable production that suffers only from the lengthy,

complicated scenic transitions that keep mostly hidden musical director

Damien Lorton and his three-piece combo busy covering.

Out front, the ensemble energy expended on this vintage musical is

explosive, bolstered by Roberta Kay’s imaginative choreography -- the

sizzling “Steam Heat” number reminiscent of Bob Fosse’s better work. This

is hardly surprising, since Kay has both starred in and staged “Sweet

Charity.”

Darren C. Buckels, in the role originated by Orange County’s John Raitt,

delivers a strong performance both dramatically and vocally as the

no-nonsense factory honcho whose machismo melts in the hands of the union

doll. Buckels manages to be alternately abrupt and sympathetic, sometimes

in unison, and carries off his singing assignments splendidly.

Then there is Adriana Sanchez. Every theater should have one, but there

just aren’t enough to go around. Sanchez is simply delightful as the shop

worker who snares the super and redefines labor-management relations,

bringing a superb set of vocal pipes to her renditions of “Hey There” and

“I’m Not at All In Love.”

Kyle Myers takes the show-stealing role of the “time study man” Hines and

does just that, reveling in the show’s opportunity for physical comedy.

Opposite him is a terrific performance by Melanie Jacobsen as the office

secretary who holds the key to the labor dispute and shines (along with

Gary Trinidad and Danny Larsh) in “Steam Heat.”

The coterie of garment workers functions smoothly, paced by Kerri Vickers

as the flirtatious Mae. Gregory Ghica is a stern, unbending, old-world

boss and Tony Grande fits comfortably into the role of Sanchez’ folksy

railroad engineer father.

With less time expended on scene changes -- always a bugaboo with the

older musicals -- “The Pajama Game” would be a scintillating revival, of

the level “Bells Are Ringing” achieved at the Newport theater a year ago.

Certainly the Richard Adler-Jerry Ross score holds up well when played

period, as this production is.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews appear

Thursdays and Saturdays.

CUTLINE: Kyle Myers expounds to Melanie Jacobson in a comic scene from

‘The Pajama Game’ at the Newport Theater Arts Center.

* WHAT: “The Pajama Game”* WHERE: Newport Theater Arts Center, 2501 Cliff

Drive, Newport Beach* WHEN: Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m.,

Sundays at 2:30 through Dec. 19* HOW MUCH: $15* PHONE: (949) 631-0288