By Sue Wambolt, Contributing Writer
Northborough – As a tribute to Market Basket employees and CEO Arthur T. Demoulas, the Algonquin Regional High School (ARHS) drama department will be performing the 1954 musical “The Pajama Game”based on the novel “7½ Cents” by Richard Bissell. In the story, workers at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory demand a raise of seven-and-a-half cents an hour but their demands are falling on deaf ears. In both the Market Basket standoff and the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory, the employees do what they have to do to make a change – and they do not give up.
“I selected the production this year because of what the musical had to say. The connection was too powerful for me to avoid,”said ARHS teacher and production director, Tom Alera. “I felt this year, especially, that it had to be done. In fact, I stated it ‘must’ be done. With all that happened with Market Basket and the employees giving up their jobs, money and security for Arthur T. Demoulas and what he stood for – there was no way that we would see the likes of this again for a long, long time.”
According to Alera, the production a way of saying “thank you” for making a difference and for showing that there is power in one voice – and many voices – to create change.
“I knew we needed to let them know what they had done for all of us. They restored hope and optimism in a cynical world,”he said.
Rehearsals for “The Pajama Game” began in October, giving the cast and crew only seven weeks to put the show together.
“My job is to always tell the story that has to be told,”said Alera. “And, through my design and vision – and the talent and hard work of the cast and crew – I hope it is successful and the audience walks away thinking that nothing is impossible and all of us can work to make small changes. I mean, you have to love that they all stood up for a manager they loved. It is so nice to see that good can win in the end. Market Basket showed us that. And, I think ‘The Pajama Game’ does the same.”
Alera has formally invited Demoulas and all of the Market Basket employees to the production. He spoke with a representative for Demoulas who shared that he was both thankful for and honored by the offer. There was no commitment, but Alera said that he would love for him and his dedicated Market Basket employees to be there.
“The Pajama Game” performances will take place Dec. 5, 6 and 7 at ARHS in the JFK Auditorium. Show time is 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door.
