They say life imitates art B次元官网网址� or vice-versa.
In the case of the new production from Belmont secondaryB次元官网网址檚 , The Pajama Game, the latter is closer to the truth. Then again, last yearB次元官网网址檚 teachers strike probably didnB次元官网网址檛 see any educators fall for administrators or government negotiators.
The budding relationship between feisty union rep at a pajama factory, Catherine B次元官网网址淏abeB次元官网网址� Williams, played by Hannah Eilertsen; and superintendent Sid Sorokin, played by Justin Lavoie, is one of the central themes of this musical classic, which opens next Wednesday at the Spectrum Community School theatre.
Director and Belmont theatre department head Melissa Young chuckled about the timing of the real-life labour disruption and her choice of this 1954 piece for the schoolB次元官网网址檚 spring musical.
Upon first considering it and listening to the songs, she wasnB次元官网网址檛 that thrilled, believing the material to be outdated. It wasnB次元官网网址檛 until she saw the show in London last summer that she saw the possibilities.
B次元官网网址淚 was blown away. There was something about it that connected with me,B次元官网网址� she said, adding it wasnB次元官网网址檛 the union-management theme. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 a dancer and the dancing was phenomenal.B次元官网网址�
Young has done her best to transfer that element of the show to the high school production, despite the comparatively lack of experience of the cast members.
B次元官网网址淚 think the big dance numbers are going to be fun. Ms. Young is an amazing choreographer,B次元官网网址� said Eilertsen, among a group of Grade 12 students who have spent several years in the theatre program. B次元官网网址淪he treats us like professional actors. ItB次元官网网址檚 a unique and realistic theatre experience.B次元官网网址�
Given the era of the original story, some lines in the script have been changed to make them more appropriate B次元官网网址� read politically correct B次元官网网址� for todayB次元官网网址檚 audiences.
Lavoie, who is also in his final year with the theatre program at Belmont, likes the mix of comedy with music and dance.
Asked what the toughest thing about this production has been for him, he hesitates, but only for a moment: B次元官网网址淚 have to kiss one of my best friends,B次元官网网址� he said of a scene with Eilertsen, one of his pals since Grade 7. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a little bit awkward.B次元官网网址�
Fellow cast member Dylan Karlsson also enjoys the musical aspect of the show, noting that itB次元官网网址檒l be amazing working with a live 20-piece orchestra.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e got those romantic numbers, but also the big dance numbers,B次元官网网址� he said.
The Pajama Game differs from the previous two spring musicals heB次元官网网址檚 been involved in at Belmont. Where Fiddler on the Roof featured very emotional subject matter and music, and The Wizard of Oz was an all-out fun production, he said, this yearB次元官网网址檚 show has rather adult themes that have prompted those involved to think about things like labour negotiations and the working world.
The Pajama Game is the last production to be rehearsed and initially mounted at the old Belmont. Young isnB次元官网网址檛 yet sure at which new high school sheB次元官网网址檒l be teaching drama classes. Regardless, she said, looking around a crowded wardrobe and set storage room, B次元官网网址淚 wonB次元官网网址檛 miss the packing everything up from here.B次元官网网址�
The four performances run at 7 p.m. April 22 and 23, and 2 and 7 p.m. on April 25 at 957 Burnside Rd. W. Tickets are $13.50 for adults, $11.50 for students and seniors and can be purchased at the school, 3067 Jacklin Rd., or reserved by calling 250-478-5501.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
