The Twin Valley High School (TVHS) Theater Arts Club will present "The Pajama Game" as its annual spring musical. Performances will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday, April 4 to 6, as well as 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 7. To coincide with the musical, there will be a designer bag and pajama bingo at TVHS on April 6. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m., and bingo will start at 2 p.m.

"The Pajama Game" is a 1954 Broadway musical that is based on the novel "7 1/2 Cents" by Richard Bissell. Noted choreographer Bob Fosse made his choreography debut with this musical.

According to TVHS play producer Jessie Miller, the story line follows workers in a pajama factory who form a union and defend their rights to earn a better living. "The girls who are the employes form a union because they are not getting paid enough. They find out that surrounding companies are paying higher, so they demand a 7-and-a-half-cent raise," explained Miller. "There is a new superintendent in the pajama factory, which is called the Sleep Tite Factory, and a love interest forms between the president of the union and the new superintendent."

Both Miller and play director Nicole Weaver noted that most students had not heard of the play, but they are now familiar with its message. "This year is a challenge for the kids, but it's a really good challenge," said Weaver. "The show itself is paying true homage to what was important in the 1950s. The women are fighting for their equal rights to be paid well."

She noted that in the past, TVHS has done more familiar shows, like last year's performance of "Grease," but this year's show will be equally entertaining. "It's a fun love story. What would draw people into this show is that there are great songs, great dances and a really cute love story," Weaver said. "It is family friendly, and it will leave people feeling happy."

The stars of the play are seniors Hannah Kurtz, who plays Babe Williams, the union leader, and Patrick Skoniczin, who plays Sid Sorokin, the superintendent.

Patrick said that he is currently working hard to "get comfortable" with his character, noting that he was one of the few TVHS students who had previously heard of the play. "My dad is a trumpet player, and he was in the pit in high school when they did the play," noted Patrick.

Hannah has starred in previous TVHS plays, but this is her first major role. "This is the biggest lead I have ever played," she said. "I am trying to let the character really shine. We have been working really hard at it."

Other cast members include the following: Mackenzie Bare as Charley, Sara Blankenbiller as Mae, Natalie Clayton as Gladys, Jenna DiFabrizio as Mabel, Sam Donnellan as Prez, Stephen Elliker as Myron, Benjamin Scott as Vernon, Kristel Stoltzfus as Sandra, Ariana Salinas-Evans as Rita, Sienna Brown as Virginia, Ian Eversmeyer and Max, Grace Kelly as Doris, Cecilia Skoniczin as Poopsie, Madalynn Gerhard as Carmen, Emily Hatcher as Mara, Lorelei Koller as Ann, Macayla Symonds as Brenda, Evan Johnson as Pop and Nora Tennant as Charlene.

Student members of the production team are Mackenzie Bare, production intern; Ellie Troxel, stage manager; and Megan Shumate and Sienna Brown, student choreographers.

For the upcoming bingo, attendees will be able to win designer purses and adult-size pajamas. The event is being presented by the newly formed Theater Boosters of Twin Valley, a nonprofit organization. "We and some local parents created the club. We are having bingo on the Saturday of our performance," said Miller. "We are encouraging people to wear their pajamas so they can (be entered into a drawing to) win a prize. The (cast members) in their costumes will be walking around at the bingo."

Bingo is open to adults and teenagers. Teenagers must be accompanied by an adult. Food will be available for purchase, and free babysitting will be available for children ages 2 to 12. Tickets purchased in advance will be discounted.

TVHS is located at 4897 N. Twin Valley Road, Elverson. For tickets to bingo or the play, visit https://tvhsmusical.ludus.com.