Cappies Review: 'The Pajama Game' At Falls Church High School

By Madelyn Khoury of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

A silent figure holding a knife watches two people in the next room, his targets unaware until—thud—the knife slams into the wall, mere inches from their heads. It sounds like a thriller sequence, but this riveting scene is but one of the quirky plot developments in Falls Church High School's recent production of "The Pajama Game."

The musical, which first opened on Broadway in 1954, follows the story of disgruntled workers at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory, whose campaign for a seven and a half cent raise has been met with resistance from factory leadership. New in town is Sid Sorokin, the recently appointed factory Superintendent, who finds himself falling for Katherine "Babe" Williams. The only problem? She's head of the Union Grievance Committee, placing them on opposite sides of the conflict. The resulting adventure mixes love, politics, and jealousy in a humorous romp as the two try to reconcile their views.

Sid (played by Patrick Kearney) solidified his role as the factory heartthrob with a smooth voice and easy confidence that all but rolled off him as he strode through the factory. His excellent diction and timing made his character relatable, whether he was sitting in quiet contemplation in his office or breathlessly chasing after Babe (Casey Nguyen). Nguyen, meanwhile, kept herself poised and upright—matching the idea of Babe's feisty personality—and demonstrated admirable vocal control. Most impressive was the leads' chemistry—the two crafted a convincing comfort with each other, sharing easy embraces in Babe's home yet managing to pull off an intense fight scene that had them both rigid with anger and the stage stifling with tension thick enough to taste.

A talented supporting cast truly added flavor to the performance. As Gladys, Sarah Mack imbued her part with energy, whether by leading an energetic tap number with a smile in "Steam Heat," coyly running from the flirtations of Prez (Jack Kearney), or giggling drunkenly as she slouched over a table after stunning audiences with her voice in "Hernando's Hideaway." At the same time, Jack Child (Hines) admirably portrayed the many sides of his character, storming onstage when Hines was angry yet proudly basking in the attention as he demonstrated his knife-throwing abilities at the company picnic. He and Mabel (Samaria Dellorso) created a laugh-out-loud back and forth in "I'll never be jealous again," using excellent vocal and physical choices to portray the song's comedy.

Other standouts, such as Pop (Peter Manarin) and Hasler (Colin Page) added to the performance. And, the ensemble, which particularly shone in "I'm Not at All in Love," "Think of the Time I Save," and "Hernando's Hideaway," helped propel the story.

Remarkable props—which ran the gamut from everything from sewing machines to screwdrivers to vintage telephones—kept pace with the props-heavy setting, and the colorful, period-appropriate costumes and choreography transported the audience to the era. The intricate set, which featured a metal spiral staircase and an ingenious "elevator," established an industrial feel, and though some set changes were loud, the set's design allowed for quick transitions. Other effects, such as an interaction between Sid and a recording and a knife-throwing effect, were executed admirably.

With impressive technical elements and a talented lead and supporting cast, Falls Church's "The Pajama Game" is a joyous exploration of love and business. Despite its origin over sixty years ago, the story's themes and feel-good ending are sure to leave viewers with a smile.

Photo by Harley Hopkins, from left to right: Colin Page, Jack Child, Natalie Ingalls, Catherine Kane, Samaria Dellorso