The Haddonfield Memorial High School Drama Club has a performance that will make audiences want to dance and fall in love again.
The HMHS Drama Club will present its 2016 musical, the Tony award winning “The Pajama Game,” on March 4, 5, 6, 11 and 12. It is a toe-tapping comedic love story that will entertain all ages.
“‘The Pajama Game’ is pure entertainment. From the catchy songs to the high-energy dances and the comedic love story plot, the production is sure to please theater-goers of all ages,” Director Matthew DiDonato said.
“It’s such a fun show. There are so many high-energy numbers and the story is beautiful, with the workers and the factory, and the love story carried through out. It’s so much fun. You’ll be on the edge of your seat the whole time,” junior Joanna Moles, playing Babe, said.
The cast of 50 students has been working hard since auditions in December practicing and learning new skills in acting, singing and dancing in preparation for “The Pajama Game.”
“I hope (the audience) can feel the passion that a lot of people have put into this performance. It is a lot of time and dedication from everyone involved,” senior Tyler Rodriguez, playing Charlie, said.
“We’ve put a lot of work into the show. This is a fun, interesting and quirky show with an entertaining story that can be enjoyed by any age,” senior Emily Pinsky, playing Gladys, said.
In “The Pajama Game,” set in the Midwest in the 1950s, the employees of the Sleep Tite pajama factory are in the midst of a battle for a seven and a half cent raise. The new superintendent of the factory, Sid Sorokin, played by senior Jeremiah Slack-Welles, gets himself into trouble with the head of the union grievance committee — the feisty and charming Babe Williams. Although Babe tries to deny it, it’s love at first sight for this unlikely couple on opposite sides of a labor dispute. People may recognize some of the music, including “Hey There,” “Steam Heat” and “Hernando’s Hideaway.”
“There are a lot of emotions during the show. I hope they feel excited for the workers, and sympathy for them, and happy when they see Sid and Babe because of their love, and sad when they aren’t together,” Moles said.
The favorite parts for the cast are the high-energy song and dance numbers, learning different acting skills, and interacting with and making friends. The hardest part about this production has been rebuilding the program after graduating a large group of dedicated and talented seniors last year.
“I know there are a lot of expectations because (the class of 2015) was a fantastic cast. Knowing I had to fill their shoes it’s made me work really hard with this show and know I can’t just put a good foot forward, but a best foot forward,” Slack-Welles said.
“We have a young cast this year, but they have exceeded my expectations and the result is another high-quality show that people have come to expect of our drama club,” DiDonato said.
The director hopes the audience will be entertained and that it becomes immersed in the time period and characters the students are trying to recreate. He also hopes audiences take away a little moral from the musical.
“Ultimately, the story of Babe, Sid and the rest of the employees at Sleep Tite reminds us to stay firm in holding on to the ideals we believe in and to follow our hearts,” DiDonato said.
Performances are held at the HMHS auditorium on March 4, 5, 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.
There is a Sunday matinee on March 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $7 or four for $25 for that show. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in the main office during school hours.
HMHS is located at 401 Kings Highway East.
“I hope that they see the drama club has a lot of potential and look forward to seeing shows in the future,” senior Sean Wilkinson, playing Myron Hasler, said.
