SEATTLE — Though “The Pajama Game” was written in the mid-1950s, the musical — currently on stage at the 5th Avenue Theatre — is surprisingly fresh and even timely.
Of course the cast, orchestra, crew, directors and designers have much to do with the success of this production. For example, the show’s outstanding dance numbers might be even better than Bob Fosse’s original choreography for the 1955 Broadway hit.
The music is nearly as cool as it was when it was written. Think “Steam Heat,” “There Once Was a Man” and “Hernando’s Hideaway.”
Then there’s the story, an American tale, the heart of which involves the labor union in a pajama factory in Iowa. The people work hard and expect to be paid a fair wage. Yes, back then company owners also lived in town. Nevertheless, justice, community and the value of working families remain important topics.
In the midst of this, a union leader named Babe and a company manager named Sid fall in love. When Babe is faced with choosing between her romance and her principles, she stands with the union.
Some of the best professional musical theater actors in the region are in “The Pajama Game,” and they are led by the smart, skillfull and sexy Billie Wildrick as Babe.
Wildrick graduated in 1996 from Snohomish High School where she was in Pat Castro’s jazz choir. The star has returned several times to help Castro raise money for the school’s vocal music scholarship. She’s played on Broadway, at the well-known Ordway theater in St. Paul, Minnesota, and starred in many musicals at the 5th Avenue and Village Theatre, including “Cabaret,” “Carousel, “Guys and Dolls” and “Sunday in the Park with George.”
For her work as Sally Bowles in Village’s “Cabaret” (which played Everett in the summer of 2015) she was named Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the 2015 Gregory Awards, the Puget Sound region’s version of Broadway’s Tony awards.
Josh Davis — who has a long list of credits for his work on and off Broadway, and on TV and in film — plays Sid. His vocals are the equal of Wildrick’s and they make good partners.
Another actor and Broadway vet who grew up in Snohomish County, Greg Stone (a 1986 Lynnwood High School grad) was Jean Valjean in Village’s “Les Miserables,” which played Everett in January 2014. In “The Pajama Game,” Stone is Max, a company man. He and the rest of the ensemble are outstanding.
My other favorites include David Pichette as the company owner, the bumbling Mr. Hasler.
And Sarah Rose Davis and Greg McCormick Allen are good together as Gladys, the executive secretary, and company accountant Hines, who wants to win her heart. Village Theatre patrons will remember Davis from her turn as Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl” and Allen from his work in “Singin’ in the Rain,” “Billy Elliot” and “Mary Poppins.”
Also, Tarryn Darr and Kyle Robert Carter, who each have lots of 5th Avenue credits, are fabulous as Mae and Prez, the couple who shouldn’t be together.
Shaunyce Omar, whose perfect comic timing as Hines’ secretary Mabel, steals a few scenes of her own. Village Theatre audiences will remember her from “My Heart is the Drum.”
Director Bill Berry is joined on the creative team by choreographer Bob Richard, music director Joel Fram and designers Carol Wolfe Clay, Rose Pederson, Robert Aguilar, Ken Travis and Mary Pyanowski.
If you go
“The Pajama Game” at the 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., Seattle.
Showtimes are 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1:30 and 7 p.m. Sundays, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and 8 p.m. Thursday through March 5.
For tickets, which start at $29, go to www.5thavenue.org or call 206-625-1900.
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