The Light Opera Group of the Negev (LOGON) Presents: The Pajama Game

A pleasant memory and a joy to reminisce about: The legendary musical "The Pajama Game," which won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1955 and for Best Revival in 2006, is now in Israel. The theater group "The Light Opera Group of the Negev" (LOGON) will stage the musical "The Pajama Game" as its annual production.

The musical "The Pajama Game" first premiered on Broadway in 1954 and achieved great success, running for over a thousand consecutive performances and becoming a milestone in the history of American musicals. The 2006 revival also won a Tony Award. The musical is considered one of the first to introduce a social theme—workers' struggles and strikes—within a light musical format. The creators and producers, particularly George Abbott, invested their personal funds to bring the production to life, a move considered unusual at the time.

This was Bob Fosse's first musical as the principal choreographer. The dance for the song

is still considered one of the hallmarks of his style. Carol Haney, who played Gladys, won a Tony Award for her role. When she was injured during a performance, Shirley MacLaine, a replacement dancer, took the stage—an event that led to her breakthrough in Hollywood.

The songs "Hey There" and "Hernando’s Hideaway" crossed over from the stage and became radio hits, performed by leading artists such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Ella Fitzgerald. Since its debut, the musical has had numerous productions in the US and globally, maintaining its status as a beloved classic.

The musical "The Pajama Game" is based on the novel "7½ Cents" by Richard Bissell, published in 1953. The plot is set in the Sleep-Tite pajama factory in the American Midwest during the 1950s, against the backdrop of a heated workers' strike and a struggle between the union and management, all interwoven with a charming and humorous romance between the floor superintendent and the head of the grievance committee. The winning combination of humor, love, and social struggle creates a timeless and vibrant musical.

The musical, which premiered on Broadway in 1954, was a runaway success, running for over 1,000 performances. In 1955, the musical won the prestigious Tony Award for Best Musical, and it has since won many awards in revivals—proof that the story remains relevant, funny, and highly entertaining. The musical features iconic songs that remain beloved hits to this day.

The Light Opera Group of the Negev:

LOGON – The Light Opera Group of the Negev, is an English-speaking theater group comprising a wide range of participants of different ages, from 15 to 75—new immigrants, veterans, and Israelis. Residents of Beersheba, Omer, kibbutzim, and moshavim surrounding Gaza participate in this special theater, including doctors and scientists, hi-tech professionals, teachers, and more. The group has never missed a season because "the show must go on." In 2020, the production began a tour that ended with the first lockdown. A production was staged in 2021 as well. Even in 2024, despite group member Louis Hare being kidnapped and several others evacuated and unable to participate, the production went on. The season was delayed by 3 months. Fortunately, Louis made it to the premiere. They hope he will return to dance with the group.

The strength of the group lies in its unity. The courage to believe and hope for a different reality, viewing life through a lens of humor and maintaining a zest for life—this is how the LOGON community strengthens itself and its audience during difficult times. They hope to provide the audience with feelings of laughter, joy, and optimism. LOGON was founded in 1981 by Dr. Ed Spitz, an allergist with a unique baritone voice who immigrated to Israel from the United States and settled in the Negev. At the "Magen Avraham" synagogue in Omer, he met David Waldman, who became the musical director.

The theater has received praise from theater figures such as Natan Datner (in his role as director of the Beersheba Theater) and Menachem Golan. The theater trains participants in acting, dance, singing, and diction. It has nurtured actors such as Tom Amzalem (HaKfula, Mezyadat, HaMazach), Yiftach Mizrahi (Hairspray, Flashdance, The Greenhouse Academy on Netflix), and Ilan Shechtman (Beauty and the Beast, active musician). Since then, a strong core of members remains, who return to perform or take part behind the scenes, and every year new members join the community. As a group, they have assisted in the absorption of many immigrants, who were trained as actors in the US and England, as well as immigrants from South America, Brazil, Russia, France, and more.

The Pajama Game
Music and Lyrics: Richard Adler and Jerry Ross

Book: George Abbott and Richard Bissell

Director: Yaakov Amsalem,

Musical Director: David Waldman
Choreographer: Keshet Margalit-Stein,

Producer: Devora Levman
Costumes: Einat Lili Smolian,

Set Design: Mira Benent

Cast: Noah Harman as Sid Sorokin, the floor superintendent. Michael Harman as Hasler Hines, the efficiency expert. Lexi Leitner as Babe Williams, chairperson of the Union Grievance Committee. Tamar Nagan as Gladys, the factory manager's secretary. The Cast: Includes 27 actors and dancers.

Touring the country starting February 22nd
The show will be presented in English with Hebrew subtitles

Rehovot, Weizmann Institute, Michael Sela Auditorium - Sunday, Feb 22nd at 19:30
Omer City Sports Center, Netanya - Tuesday, Feb 24th at 19:30
Beit Yad Labanim, Raanana - Sunday, March 1st at 19:30

Heichal HaTarbut, Modi'in - Sunday, March 8th at 19:30
Jerusalem Theater - Tuesday, March 10th at 19:30
Be'er Sheva Conservatory of Music - Sunday, March 15th at 19:30

You are invited to enjoy the videos:

Tickets cost 100-150 ILS

On the website: www.negevlightopera.com or by phone: 08-6414081

(Photography: Shahar Bracha)