Jazz crooner Harry Connick Jr. and "The Pajama Game," one of the musical theater's biggest hits of the 1950s, will be back on Broadway next year.

The musical will open March 2 at the American Airlines Theatre as part of the Roundabout Theatre Company's 40th anniversary season, spokesman Matt Polk said Monday. Preview performances begin Jan. 27.

Connick, a pianist, singer and bandleader best known these days for his role as the duplicitous Dr. Leo Markus on television's "Will & Grace," will play the role originated in 1954 by John Raitt. The production is scheduled for a 20-week run, ending June 18.

"The Pajama Game," which has a score by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, tells the story of labor unrest in an Iowa pajama factory and the romantic involvement between the plant supervisor (the role Connick will play) and a union activist, portrayed in the original by Janis Paige.

The score for "The Pajama Game" includes hits such as "Hey There," "Small Talk," "Steam Heat" and "Hernando's Hideaway." The original book by George Abbott and Richard Bissell will be revised by Peter Ackerman.

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