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SOURCEVolume 9 Issue 9

April 30, 2012

Baseball Bat LogisticsSee pg. 9

RoboticsSee pg. 3

Despite the sleepwear, no one can sleep. Instead, the stage sizzles with the excitement of blue-collared chorus dancers rioting

across a factory floor façade.This rumpus is the Stoney Creek

Theatre Company’s “The Pajama Game,” a jazzy romantic comedy that opened April 27, set during the labor unionization wars of the 1950s.

“Game” stars senior musical veteran Molly Rooney as Babe Williams, the fiery head of a pajama factory’s grievance committee who’s determined to protect workers’ rights from manager Sid Sorokin, played by senior Mark Hosseini, no matter how deeply she falls in love with him. For this musical, the burning love of one stubborn factory manager matches the hot turmoil of the production itself, however.

Since beginning in early March, the production has been dealing with multiple director absences, since music directors Brandon Ulrich and Eric Kausch, who oversee the rehearsals, are laden with work.

“Mr. Ulrich is taking classes at Michigan State, I’m currently working on a master’s degree, and I have my new kid,” Kausch said.

Kausch added that choreography director and Social Studies teacher Channon Washington, whose husband coaches Oakland University basketball and travels frequently, is also preoccupied with childcare.

When they are available, the directors are rarely available together, a production setback new to Stoney musical theater. Nevertheless, the crew of “Pajama Game” remains fervently on task.

Technical crew member Ryan Rosenau has five productions under the belt, and he admits that the director’s busy schedules, coupled with an untimely spring break, is

difficult for the company. Fortunately, the show choice provides some relief.

“The sets and other behind-the-scenes work are some of the simplest we’ve ever done, if not the easiest,” Rosenau said. “It helps balance the chaos.”

Senior Rooney is the female lead of “Game,” and despite the challenge she is undaunted by this year’s hectic play.

“We’re working with [Social Studies teacher Steven] Book and [choir student teacher Jon] Glassman too,” Rooney said. “It’s really fun because they’re young and energetic and really passionate about it.”

“Game” is also Rooney’s fifth musical, and she’s ready to storm the stage once again.

“It’s so much fun to get into a character, to really know it and develop it and make it your own,” Rooney said. “[Babe] is very strong, very confident, and is very about her work.”

Assistant director Book, new to directing musicals, was impressed with the excruciating work involved.

“The rehearsing is crazier than anything I’ve ever been a part of. The schedule for the kids is more labor intensive than any sport or extracurricular,” Book said.

Book, who stepped up to assist after helping produce last fall’s “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” remained assured in the students’ commitment throughout rehearsal.

“There were some rough spots along the way, but by the end of opening night there will be a standing ovation,” Book said. “That’s the magic of these actors and directors.”

After all the ruckus and sweat, is the 50’s labor union musical a sight worth seeing? The crew thinks, definitely.

“It’s got history,” Book said, “and it’s got singing and dancing.”

Rooney agreed.“It’s really creative. It’s political. It’s a

romantic show, and it’s very funny.”“The Pajama Game” shows May 5-6 at

the Stoney auditorium.

Students put the “jam” back in pajamaby Michael Martinez

Lifestyles Team

GamePajamaThe575 Tienken Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48306

Just an Expression: (Top) Seniors Mark Hosseini, Amanda Durden, and Molly Rooney share a humorous expression during a dance sequence. (right) Senior Meredith White snaps back from junior Kyle White’s tone of voice. White’s character was White’s boss. (far right) Junior Angela Kim and Senior Lindsey Lobdell work hard to fulfill their pajama manufacturing quota. The girls bobbed their head to “Hurry Up” in the first song number. (bottom right) Hosseini and Rooney share a kiss. (Photos by Nick Cruz)

Robotics Pg. 3