Back in the ‘Game’

After “Les Misérables” one year and a cancellation because of COVID-19 the next, it was time to have a little fun.

Enter, “Pajama Game.”

The Jay County High School choral department will host its production of the musical comedy this weekend with shows at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday as well as 2 p.m. Sunday.

It’s been two and a half years since the JCHS choral department put on its last full-scale musical, performing “Les Misérables” in November 2018. (The theatre department put on several shows during fall 2019.) The choral department had planned “Pajama Game” for last spring, but it was canceled when the coronavirus pandemic hit.

“The biggest reason I chose this is because we had just done ‘Les Mis,’ and ‘Les Mis’ is dark and heavy,” said director Susan Denney. “And I needed to do something very light-hearted. …

“It’s completely polar opposite of ‘Les Mis.’ It’s light-hearted, fun. … You’re going to have a good time.”

The show had already been cast when activities were shut down last year because of the pandemic. With 2020 seniors departing, the bulk of the show had to be re-cast, with only three performers — Trevor Alicea as Sid Sorokin, Logan Zimmerman as Prez and Phil Hartman as Pop — retaining their roles.

And as they took to the stage this year, Denney had just her juniors and seniors as experienced performers. Instead of teaching just freshmen the ins and outs of musical theatre, she had two classes of students to indoctrinate into the art.

“Over half of the (choir) class has never done a musical before,” said Alicea, who played Enjolras in “Les Misérables” and Lafou in the JCHS production of “Beauty and the Beast.” “So it’s a big challenge. …

“We’ve had to work on a lot of our group numbers a lot. …

“Kudos to Mrs. Denney. It’s been a lot for her to take on.”

“Pajama Game,” based on the novel “7 1/2 Cents” by Richard Bissell, follows the story of labor troubles at a pajama factory. Workers are demanding a 7.5-cent raise. Management is balking at that request.

In the middle of the ordeal, Katherine “Babe” Williams (Maebry Ninde), the head of the workers’ grievance committee, and Sid Sorokin (Alicea), the factory superintendent, strike up a relationship despite being on opposite sides of the labor dispute.

“They go through a lot of trouble with going in strike,” said Ninde, who played Chip in “Beauty and the Beast.” “Babe and Sid fall in love and they have to deal with the consequences of fighting for different things.”

The cast also features Andy Brinkerhoff as Myron Hasler, Leah Hummel as Gladys Hotchkiss, Ryan VanCise as Vernon Hines, Anna Heath as Mabel and Abby Gillum as Mae.

The performers each have their own favorite moments in the show, but for Denney, the most fun is when the full cast — there are 26 named roles and a chorus nearly as large — is on stage.

In “Pajama Game,” it’s “Hernando’s Hideaway” that jumps out. It begins with Gladys singing to Sid and expands to bring everyone on stage.

She’s hopeful for a good turnout for the show both for the audience to enjoy the efforts of the students who are involved and to help build funds for the program that, like many, saw dollars dry up during the pandemic.

“We just really, really need the community to come and support these kids,” said Denney. “COVID has affected all of us in a horrible way. And it’s affected us economically. And we need to make money on this show. …

“We want to be able to continue doing this every year.”

Tickets are $6 and are available in advance at JCHS or by contacting any member of the cast. They will also be available at the door.

“It’s going to be a good show,” said Ninde. “It’s so fun and there’s so many things that are going on.

“It’s a comedy show,” said Alicea, continuing the thought. “I’d say it’s the opposite of ‘Les Mis.’ It’s good for laughs. It’s a very light-hearted show.”

“It’s what people need right now,” added Ninde.