The Pajama Game is a musical that opened on May 13, 1954 and is based on the 1953 novel 7 1/2 Cents by Richard Bissell.  The music and lyrics were composed by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross.  The story is that of labor troubles in a pajama factory where the workers demand a raise for 7 1/2 cents.  Love somehow blossoms between the head of the grievance committee, Babe, and the new superintendent, Sid.

The original production at the St. James Theater ran for 1,063 performances.  The show has been revived in 1973 and then again in 2006.  It is a favorite as a community and school show.

As stated above, when the book became the musical it was scored by Adler and Ross.  This musical partnership lasted from 1950 through 1955 when it was cut short by the death of Ross due to a lung ailment when he was only 29 years old.  When in operation, the two quickly became the protégés of composer, lyricist, publisher, Frank Loesser.

The Pajama Game was the second Broadway effort from this duo.  Three songs from the production became hits on the US Hit Parade.  These are Steam Heat, Hernando’s Hideaway and Hey There.

You may listen to the full sound track for The Pajama Game here: