Singing, Dancing and Workplace Tensions in 'The Pajama Game'

All’s fair in love and work in ’s 2011 spring musical, “.”

Based on Richard Bissel’s novel “7 ½ Cents,” the Broadway production debuted in 1954 and went on to win a Tony for best musical. It features the music and lyrics of Richard Adler and Jerry Ross and was originally choreographed by Bob Fosse.

Most of the show’s action takes place at the Sleep Tite Pajama Factory, where the union “prez” (Ted Segal) and his fellow workers are lobbying for a 7 ½-cent-an-hour raise. Although an incident in the factory initially pits plant superintendent Sid Sorokin (the thoroughly entertaining Matt Enters) against Katherine “Babe” Williams (the sweet-voiced Erin Barkman) of the grievance committee, they eventually succumb to their barely suppressed mutual attraction.

However, as Sid and Babe exchange their “I love you”s and more than a few songs—this is a musical—the labor vs. management tensions begin growing to Capulet-vs.-Montague proportions, and the tender relationship begins to fray and break. With a little help from their Sleep Tite friends, can Sid and Babe find their way back to each other, as well as common ground in the battle for a fair wage?

While the plot tackles the topics of labor and love, the show encapsulates the phrase “labor of love.” The sprawling cast—from the leads to the supporting roles to the chorus--tackles their respective roles with gusto. Among the standouts are Damar Fletcher, who played the blustering boss Mr. Hasler with a hard-nosed conviction, and Emily Wilson, who was quirkily adorable as secretary Mabel.

The high school is gifted with several magnificent singers, who were well accompanied by the accomplished orchestra.

The eye-catching costumes were fantastic and perfectly captured the era, and the meticulously designed sets were the finishing touch in transporting the audience’s imaginations.

“The Pajama Game” will hit the Spahr Auditorium stage for the at . Tickets are $8.