“The Pajama Game” is definitely the game to play. The Starlight Theatre’s cheery production of the Broadway revival musical is a wonderful weekend entertainment.
Set after the war in an American pajama factory, “The Pajama Game” is the story or the fight for a 7-cent raise. The raise is small but the boss does not want to budge. The battle is further complicated by a love match across labor and management lines. The relationship comes under the strain of the impending strike, but like a true musical comedy, all ends right in the world with a happy song.
The music of the show is catchy and upbeat. It is nearly impossible to leave the theater without a tune in your head. The female leads shine in this show. Courtney Corey is a true talent with the ability to belt the emotional resonance across the entire amphitheater.
Tickets are a great value starting at $10 and ranging to $70. Tickets are available at the Starlight Theatre box office at 232-7827 or online at www. StarlightTheatre.org.
La Jolla Playhouse’s ‘A Midsummer’s Night Dream’ puts new spin on classic play
The world is turned upside-down in the La Jolla Playhouse’s whimsical production of the classic Shakespeare comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The strictures of the Victorian era are literally turned on their heads as chairs rise into the air and pianos spin and levitate and servants become fairies.
The plot of is pretty simple by way of Shakespearian comedies: Hermia and Lysander love each other but she has been promised to Demetrius, who is loved by Helena. The young lovers all steal away into the forest and the world spins on its head.
The strength of “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” is in the production’s theatrics. The staging adeptly utilizes abstract puppetry and dynamic costuming.
An interesting innovation director Christopher Ashley makes is to highlight and frame the silence of the queen Hypolita. Ashley insightfully picks up on the play’s exoticism through a reference of African exploitation, brilliant gold among dull gray.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is playing at the La Jolla Playhouse now through Aug. 22 with performances Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets range between $31 and $66 and are available at (858) 550-1010 or www.lajollaplayouhse.com.
