The Siena College Creative Arts Department and Stage III present the beloved classic musical The Pajama Game

LOUDONVILLE — Siena Creative Arts and Stage III are delighted to present the classic 1954 musical The Pajama Game, directed by Sharon Paluch, a Siena alumna, with music direction from Dr. Timothy Reno, Associate Dean of Liberal Arts.

“Through performance, we may interrogate the cultural narratives of both yesterday and today. In staging The Pajama Game, the students of Siena College and I interrogate the production of gender in the workplace, examining the how and why certain practices are permitted, normalized and even celebrated. In combining the critical analysis of academic inquiry with the dynamic construct of theatre, we hope to question labor practices and women at work in the 50s and today” -Sharon Paluch

Marcus Rogers, choreographer, is taking a classic Bob Fosse angle on the choreography. Siena is delighted to welcome back Broadway designers Greg Solomon (lights) and Emma Wilk (sound) and to welcome Broadway scenic designer Tim McMath to Siena, who worked closely with the technical theatre students on bringing this large-scale musical to life.

Conditions at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory are anything but peaceful as sparks fly between new superintendent, Sid Sorkin, and Babe Williams, leader of the union grievance committee. Their stormy relationship comes to a head when the workers strike for a 7 1/2 cent pay increase, setting off not only a conflict between management and labor, but a battle of the sexes as well. This classic musical features iconic music numbers “Steam Heat” and “Hernando’s Hideaway.”

“7 ½ cents doesn’t buy a helluva lot… but give it to me ev’ry hour, forty hours ev’ry week and that’s enough for me to be living like a king” The Pajama Game, 1954

Based upon the 1953 novel 7 ½ Cents by Richard Bissell, The Pajama Game premiered on Broadway in 1954 during the heyday of organized labor in America. With conflicts highlighting gender roles in the factory, sexual harassment and the fight for a fair living wage, this delightful musical comedy is as relevant today as when it premiered in the 50s.

There will be a production team talkback that will be open to the public November 11 from 12.30-1.30 PM in the Beaudoin Theatre. The talk will feature Sharon Paluch (director), Tim Reno (music director), Denise Massman (costume designer), Tim McMath (set designer), Greg Solomon (lighting designer), Emma Wilk (sound designer), and Marcus Rogers (choreographer).

After the November 17th performance, Dr. Krysta Dennis (Producer of Creative Arts) will host a brief post-show talk with director Sharon Paluch, Dr. Karen Mahar (Professor of History), and Dr. Arindam Mandal (Department Chair, Economics) about questions of labor economics and gender in the workforce raised in the play.

Pajama Night: On Saturday the 16th, patrons who wear pajamas to the show will receive discounted tickets, at $2 for students, $8 for Siena community, and $10 for the general public.

We will be collecting donations of new, unworn pajamas in the lobby to donate to St. Catherine’s Child Care Center throughout the run of the show.

Featured in the cast are Nora Collins as Babe, Connor Rock as Sid Sorokin, Will Curley as Hines, Sarah Wilson as Gladys, Olivia Burns as Mabel, Mike Denihan as Prez, Alexander Babbie as Hasler, Colin Bauer as Pops/Joe, Dominic DiCaprio as Max, Emily Furlong as Charlie, Samantha Fazio as Poopsie, Fiona Hoye as Brenda, Liz Nielson as Virginia, Kendall Paluch as Mae, Haleigh Arthmann as Carmen, Layla Pagan as Mara, Emily Crnadall as Ann, Samantha Aremburg as Sandra, Julia Gonzalez as Mary, Lizzie Walther as Doris, Gina Pepe as Lynda, and a special appearance by Brother George Camacho.

About Siena Creative Arts: The Siena Creative Arts Department seeks to engage students with works of the creative imagination, and develop within them an aesthetic appreciation of the arts. Creative Arts programs in Theatre, Music, and Visual Arts encourage the unlocking and development of students’ own creative potential and skill.

Sharon Zeto Paluch ‘87 MFA, ATHE, SDC (Director), is Founder and Artistic Director of Consortium Actors, and Lecturer for Roberts Wesleyan College.

Timothy Reno (Music Director) is Associate Dean of the School of Liberal Arts at Siena College. His duties in the Creative Arts Department include conducting the Siena Chamber Singers, teaching courses in music, and acting as music director for the theater program.