Hadley Fraser and Joanna Riding in Talks for Chichester Festival Theatre's THE PAJAMA GAME

In May 1954, the musical The Pajama Game opened at the St. James Theatre, where it ran for 1,063 performances. It opened in the West End the following year, played Broadway most recently in a 2006 revival starring Kelli O'Hara and Harry Connick Jr., and, according to The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye, is now slated to play Chichester Festival's Minerva Theatre in early 2013. 

The Pajama Game is based on the novel 7½ Cents by Richard Bissell, featuring a score by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. The story deals with a pajama factory where workers seek raises - and love blossoms between a union member and the new factory superintendent.

Two-time Olivier Award winner Joanna Riding is in negotiations to play Babe,. Riding, who won Oliviers for 1993's Carousel and 2003's My Fair Lady, has appeared in a myriad of other West End shows throughout her career, including originating the role of Jane in The Witches of Eastwick and The National Theatre's production of Guys and Dolls. 

In talks to play Sid is Hadley Fraser, who led The Phantom of the Opera's 25th anniversary concert at Royal Albert Hall as Raoul, as well as appearing in multiple roles - Marius, Grantaire, and most recently, Javert - in Les Misérables. 

The original production of The Pajama Game won a Tony for Best Musical, and the 2006 Broadway revival won a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.

More Articles by This Author...