The Pajama Game Hits Sleepy Hollow This Weekend

A greedy boss, exploited workers demanding fair pay, and an imminent strike by the union.

It's not the latest labor battle happening in the nation, it's on stage this weekend. The Sleepy Hollow Players bring you The Pajama Game, a story of mismatched love and workers fighting for a seven and a half cent raise. 

Of course the irony of the play coming at this time hasn't been lost on director Gail Persad.

"People asked me, have you picked this show because of Wisconsin? No, not at all," she said, while noting the decision was made well before labor issues came to the forefront. "The reason I picked this show is because of Steam Heat, I love that song... but it's hitting home a little more than I anticipated."

The show focuses on a battle between the office crowd along with the boss of a pajama factory and the workers seeking their modest raise.

The musical debuted on Broadway in 1954, and made revivals in 1973 and 2006. A film version was released in 1957.

For the cast and crew, it's been months of preparation and intense 4-hour rehearsals leading up to this weekend's opening. To recreate the pajama factory at Sleepy Hollow High School, sets were salvaged from the Players' 2010 production of Arsenic and Old Lace. Also adding some authenticity to the set are four old prop bins that were saved from Radio City Music Hall.

It will be a special performance for Persad. She singled out a number of standout students and seniors who would be making their last high school performance in The Pajama Game. Those students include David Remple, Meg Capo, Hannah Becker, Ben Slaw, Violet Overn, Nora Handelman and Victoria Nadile, among others.

"They are seniors and they have done these past shows and it's like watching an era come to an end," Persad said. "There is always someone next year to step up, but these students have been here since seventh grade... It's a very lovable group."

The musical is also unique this year because students make up a majority of the orchestra section, conducted by Brittney Trenczer. Out of 13 musicians, only four of them are professionals.

"I am really proud of the pit," Persad said. "Having most of them be students is awesome."

What is more amazing is how The Pajama Game, as a whole, has come together. It's guaranteed to be a fun-filled, light-hearted family afternoon or evening. 

"You can expect comedy, love, drama, knife throwing and a good time," Persad said. "Come, it will be fun."

The Pajama Game will be performed in the Donald Kusel Auditorium on Friday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday, March 26, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for Students/Seniors and $8 for Adults.