The Pajama Game: Interview with EvelynPaige Feron and Will Tocke

Theatre and Dance’s (THD) spring musical “The Pajama Game” continues through this weekend at UB Center for the Arts from May 2 - 4, 2025. For tickets: www.ubcfa.org 

Given the size of the cast, orchestra, production team, and overall scale of THD musicals, the participation of non-Theatre and Dance majors is an extremely important aspect of a successful production.

EvelynPaige Feron is a freshman Biological Sciences / Pre-Med major who has been cast as Mabel. Buffalo native Will Tocke is a Psychology and Health and Human Services major and is part of the ensemble. Read our interview to learn more about why EvelynPaige and Will decided to join the show. 

Where are you from originally?

Long island, NY

What made you decide to audition for "The Pajama Game" as a non-theater major? Do you have previous performing experience, or is this brand new?

I have always enjoyed theatre, specifically musicals. I was a part of my high school shows and it was such a great outlet for me to express my creativity. Last semester I was in Matt Marco’s (the music director for the show) Broadway seminar class and he convinced me to give the musical a try and I am so thankful I did! I have been able to learn so much during this experience and meet so many amazing people.

Do you think you'll take additional theatre and dance classes at UB? If so, what are you most interested in?

Yes! Next semester I am taking Musical Theatre Repertory 1 with James Beaudry, our director for the show, and I am really looking forward to it.

Are you a fan of musicals? What are some of your other favorites, and why?

The first Broadway show I ever saw was “Wicked,” so it is definitely one of my favorites as it introduced me to musical theatre. Currently I am also really loving the new Outsiders Musical as it was one of my favorite books growing up!!

Where are you from originally?

Though I was born in Buffalo, University at Buffalo wasn't always my plan for college. I planned to go out of state, but I kept hearing amazing things about UB. When it came time to commit, I ended up choosing UB and couldn't be happier with my decision.

What made you decide to try out for "The Pajama Game" as a non-theater major? Do you have previous performing experience, or is this brand new?

During my first semester, I took a class with professor Matthew Marco, the music director for “The Pajama Game.” He mentioned to class that we should audition and I immediately showed interest. Mr. Marco continued to encourage me to audition, which I don't think I would've ended up doing if it wasn't for him.

I have done theater before. I've done two shows in high school, but I am still relatively new to theater. My first show was “Guys and Dolls,” and I was cast as Arvide Abernathy. This show was what made me realize how much I love theater and is part of the reason I auditioned for “The Pajama Game.”

You're a freshman Psychology and Health and Human Services major. Even though it's only your first year at UB, do you have a future profession in mind? If so, why?

Being a Psychology and Health and Human Services major, I do have a general idea of what I'd like to do with my majors. I've wanted to be a therapist for most of my life. I've always loved the thought of helping people as my job. I think therapists are also an essential job as mental health is so very important.