The Pajama Game Receives Praise from StageSceneLA

In July 2019, StageSceneLA published a glowing review of UC Irvine’s production of The Pajama Game, recognizing the production’s ability to honor the Golden Age charm of the piece while giving it a distinctly contemporary relevance.

The review highlighted the production’s racially diverse casting and its renewed focus on labor, equity, and collective action—elements that allowed the sixty-five-year-old musical to feel firmly rooted in the present moment. Set at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory, the story’s exploration of workers demanding a 7½-cent raise was noted as especially resonant in today’s social and political climate.

As scenic designer, I collaborated with fellow MFA designers to help give the production what the review described as “a professional look to rival any L.A. regional production.” The scenic environment supported the bustling factory world and the musical’s many shifts in tone—balancing large ensemble storytelling with more intimate character-driven moments. StageSceneLA specifically cited “Brandon PT Davis’s stylish set” as part of the design team’s success.

Having the scenic work recognized within such a detailed and generous review was a meaningful moment in my graduate training at UC Irvine, reinforcing the value of design as a collaborative force that helps connect classic material to contemporary audiences.