'Pajama Game' Opens at Bunnell High School

This lively production bursts with songs that are so famous they are almost part of our national DNA. Hernando's Hideaway, Steam Heat and Hey There will have the audience singing along with cast.

Meghann England directs this classic musical that features a battle between the sexes where love and labor meet.  

Jonelle Sedgwick, who plays the lead character Babe, has a sweet and smooth voice that transports the listener to a simpler time and place, where the most anyone needed was a good 7 ½ cent raise.

According to England, the show is still relevant. “It is an excellent play for kids today. It is all about the labor unions.”

The experience of appearing in a play teaches students many things about life besides the content of the show. “ I let the students run a lot of the program,” said England.

Student Theatre Arts Guild Entertainment (S.T.A.G.E.) stage officers Erin Williams, Collin Anderson and Mia Gaspar take an active part in the productions. England explained, “I break it down and have student directors direct certain scenes. Then we come together and work on them together. They have a lot of responsibility.

“I have also noticed,” continued England, “how much they change during the course of a show. They really have to go outside of their comfort zone.”

The students take the production seriously and some even go on to study theatre in college. Leonard Foust is a senior and will be going to Western Connecticut State University to study Theatre Arts in the fall. “It has helped me express my creativity,” he said.

Sedgwick is a sophomore, but has been involved in theatre her whole life. “I have done a lot of community theatre and was in two shows at Bunnell last year. My whole family sings and it is a common interest for us. It's been a major part of my life.”

Sedgwick also admits that theatre has helped her in many ways. “I get to express a lot of different emotions in this role. It got me out of my comfort zone.”

Being pushed beyond comfort zones is also a common problem for parents who worry about their child opting for a career in the theatre. Tom Valus, who plays Babe's father in the show, said, "I have wanted to be a screen actor since I was really young. My parents say I need something to fall back on, but I am going for it!”

All of the students show off their hard work and talent to the hilt. Colin Anderson, whose character, Sid Sorokin, is the superintendent of the factory, has a tremendous energy and an ability to use his gift of voice to bring a song to life. 

While all appears seamlessly in control from the perspective of the audience, backstage students ran in the halls, often with friends running behind them to zip up zippers or to adjust their own costumes and props. England described this time of year as a Chinese Fire Drill.

Mia Gaspar said that this was "crunch time" and that there are a lot of ups and downs during the rehearsal process. But it is always a success, and is very rewarding, "Especially when it comes to taking your bow."

The show began Thursday, May 5, and continues Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm, and Sunday at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Visit http://bunnellstage.org/Home_Page.html for more information and directions to Bunnell High School.