Launching their 39th season, Baltimore's Center Stage opened with The Pajama Game. The production, helmed by artistic director Irene Lewis and which began Oct. 12, will end its run at the Maryland venue Dec. 2.

The tale about love and labor disputes at a pajama factory is based on the novel by Richard Bissell titled "7 1/2 Cents." The musical features a book by George Abbott and Bissell, with music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry. The score features such songs as "Steam Heat," "Hernando's Hideaway" and "Hey There."

The show opened on Broadway in 1954 and ran for 1,063 performances at the St. James Theatre. The original production featured the talents of Harold Prince, Jerome Robbins, Bob Fosse and last-minute replacement Shirley MacLaine.

Following Pajama Game, Center Stage presents Tony-nominated director Marion McClinton, who will helm Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun. The production by the director of King Hedley II and Jitney will play Nov. 15 Dec. 23.

The rest of the season continues with Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Three Tall Women, (Jan. 11-Feb. 10, 2002) under the direction of Tim Vasen, Shakespeare's A Winter's Tale, mounted by Lewis (Feb. 22-March 31, 2002) and Noel Coward's comedy Blithe Spirit, (April 12-May 19, 2002,) also directed by Vasen. The season will conclude with a new play yet to be announced scheduled to run May 10-June 16, 2002. For tickets to Pajama Game at the Center Stage, 700 North Calvert Street in Baltimore, MD, call (410) 332-0033. For more information on this and other productions, visit them online at www.centerstage.org.

— by Ernio Hernandez