Finding a Fit Takes a Bit

It will be fascinating “20 years from today,” as a lyric from “The Pajama Game” says, to see how quaint people think the 1990s were.

Director James R. Taulli, who guided the revival of 1955’s “Pajama Game” at Cal State Fullerton’s Little Theatre, certainly thinks the ‘50s were very quaint. Instead of treating this musically potent and often very funny show as something real, he gives it the look of a cartoon, which it doesn’t need.

Taulli also doesn’t think his audiences know anything about the ‘50s, and he has added an opening narration about the economic situation at the time and gives pictorial sociological hints along the way. It’s sort of like opening “Hamlet” with a speech about Denmark’s fiscal state and flashing drawings of laboring serfs during the action.

Once you get past all that, and ignore the cartoon tone, what’s left is a very respectable revival of the Richard Adler-Jerry Ross hit, with a book by the immortal George Abbott and Richard Bissell, on whose novel the musical was based. It’s bright and perky and just as watchable as when it opened on Broadway. It doesn’t need all these trimmings.

The action concerns the garment workers union’s indecision about staging a strike at the Sleep Tite Pajama Factory over a 7 1/2-cent raise every other garment concern has given its employees.

Caught between management and labor is Sid Sorokin, the new superintendent of the factory. His problem, being in management, is that he has fallen for the attractive Babe Williams, head of the union’s grievance committee, and when she short-circuits the plant’s power, he’s forced to fire her.

Taulli has fired his cast with marvelous energy that, especially in the production numbers, lights up the stage. The more intimate scenes also have a rewarding animation that suits the upbeat score to a T.

William F. Lett’s frenetic choreography and Mitch Hanlon’s juicy musical direction are right on target.

The big ballads given to the romantic couple, including “Hey There” and “There Once Was a Man,” benefit from the stylish, strong treatment given them by Justin Gehrls as Sid and Amie Bjorklund as Babe. Both meet the challenges of the score impeccably, and their attraction to each other is honest and believable.

Chad Granier almost steals the show, though, as Hines, the factory’s “time study”-ingrained foreman. Although he buys totally into the cartoon approach, his impeccable technique and high style keep him real.

The light of Hines’ life, the slightly goofy Gladys, is played by Molly Prather with enough restraint to make her breakout number “Steam Heat “ a winner. (This number opened the door to Hollywood when the original understudy took over for the first time. She was Shirley MacLaine.)

Only occasionally going over the top, but still effective, is Christopher Younggren as Hasler, the larcenous company head. Holly Jeanne is charming and bright as Sid’s secretary Mabel, whose duet with Hines, “I’ll Never Be Jealous Again,” is a highlight.

The only actor seriously harmed by the cartoon look is Trevor Illingworth. His talent is obvious, but his eccentric physicality could be toned down by half and be much funnier.

* “The Pajama Game,” Little Theatre, Cal State Fullerton, 800 N. State College Blvd. 2:30 and 8 p.m. today, 5 p.m. Sunday. $15. Ends Sunday. (714) 278-3371.

Justin Gehrls: Sid Sorokin

Amie Bjorklund: Babe Williams

Chad Granier: Hines

Molly Prather: Gladys

Holly Jeanne: Mabel

Christopher Younggren: Hasler

Trevor Illingworth: Prez

A Cal State Fullerton Department of Theatre and Dance production of the Richard Adler-Jerry Ross musical. Directed by James R. Taulli. Musical direction: Mitch Hanlon. Choreography: William F. Lett. Sound design: John R. Fisher. Scenic design: Bruce Goodrich. Lighting design: D. Silvio Volonte. Costume design: Abel Zeballos. Makeup design: Ravinna Rada, Courtney Wagner. Hair design: Rosa Campos. Stage manager: Colette Naffaa.