The Pajama Game closes today

By Amy Somensky Jun 17, 2006, 2:37 GMT

A battle erupts when workers at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory demand a 7 1/2 cent pay increase. Matters are made worse when the head of the Union Grievance Committee falls in love with one of the company\'s leaders, Sid Sorokin. ...more

New York: The Pajama Game ends its sold out run today at the American Airlines Theater. The production was originally set to close on June 11th, but added five performances to its schedule to benefit three charities, the Actors' Fund of America, the New Orleans Habitat Musicians' Village, and the Roundabout's Education Program and Musical Theatre Fund.

Harry Connick Jr. said previously in a statement, "The Broadway community has been so supportive and welcoming to me in my debut that I simply had to find a way to show my appreciation. The producers, cast and crew have generously agreed to join me in extending the run of The Pajama Game for a series of benefit performances. All proceeds from these five shows will benefit the Broadway Community as well as the displaced musicians of my hometown of New Orleans. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and as we say in New Orleans, 'EH LA BAS.'"

This won't be the end of The Pajama Game though. A commercial run with a new cast will open in the fall at a theater to be announced.

Kathleen Marshall directs and choreographs the musical, which just one two 2006 Tony Awards for Best choreography and Best Revival of a Musical. Starring is Harry Connick Jr. as Sid Sorokin, Kelli O'Hara as Babe Williams, Megan Lawrence as Gladys, Michael McKean as Hines, Peter Benson as Prez, Joyce Chittick as Mae, Michael McCormick as Pop, Richard Poe as Hasler, and Roz Ryan as Mabel. 

The Pajama Game is inspired by Richard Bissell's novel 7 1/2 Cents. The musical features music and lyrics by Richard Alder and Jerry Ross and a book by George Abbott and Bissell. In the musical, a battle erupts when workers at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory demand a 7 1/2 cent pay increase. Matters are made worse when the head of the Union Grievance Committee falls in love with one of the company's leaders, Sid Sorokin.

The show originally ran on Broadway from May 13, 1954 to November 24, 1956.