PHOTO: Early arrivals at Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts. Photo courtesy Carole Howard.
From New York to Utah, Maine to Louisiana, 30 professional actors, directors and designers have arrived in Pagosa Springs for rehearsals and production of the three Broadway musical hits and a fundraising gala that Thingamajig Theatre Company will present this summer.
The three musicals are “Bright Star,” with the bluegrass score composed by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, opening Friday, June 3; “Guys and Dolls,” a romantic comedy involving a high-rolling gambler and a strait-laced missionary, opening Friday, June 17; and “SpongeBob the Musical,” a family-friendly show based on the Nickelodeon animated TV series, opening Friday, July 1. These musicals will run in rotation through most of August.
This year’s fundraising Broadway Gala will take place Tuesday evening, July 26.
‘Best of Broadway’
Tim Moore, artistic director of Thingamajig Theatre Company, said it will be a special treat for live professional theatre lovers to have such a talented creative team back on stage. “This is especially true considering that all the actor auditions were conducted virtually, following COVID precautions in effect on Broadway and in other U.S. theatres earlier this year,” he observed.
“As we begin our 11th year, we are super excited to be presenting these musicals, which represent the best of Broadway from classic to contemporary,” Moore said. “‘Guys and Dolls’ is the iconic romantic comedy that’s on everyone’s favorites list. ‘Bright Star’ is a powerful drama featuring bluegrass music that originated in the Appalachian region of the U.S. ‘SpongeBob’ showcases the latest in technological innovation and spectacle in its staging.”
Moore pointed out that even the settings of the three shows are remarkably diverse. “Bright Star” is set in North Carolina in the 1920s and ‘40s. “Guys and Dolls” is set in Damon Runyon’s New York City, with a side trip to Havana, Cuba. “SpongeBob” takes place in the underwater world of Bikini Bottom.
Returning favorites plus new faces
Four of the 16 professional actors in the summer cast are much-admired favorites with local and out-of-town audiences from previous performances at Thingamajig. They are Trevor Brown, Samantha Luck, Tyler Price Robinson and Allie Tamburello. Others on stage are talented new faces. All will perform in various roles in the musicals and all will sing and dance at the gala.
“Bright Star” is being directed by Andrew Barratt Lewis. He previously directed two Thingamajig shows – “A Grand Night for Singing” at Christmas 2019 and “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play” last Christmas.
“Guys and Dolls” is being directed and choreographed by Pia Wyatt. She directed “The Who’s Tommy” in the summer of 2019 and choreographed all the 2018 summer musicals including “Legally Blonde,” “West Side Story” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”
“SpongeBob Musical” is being directed by Dustin Hebert, who previously starred in “The Full Monty” and “Spamalot” comedies in 2013. Wyatt is the show’s choreographer.
Two other admired Thingamajig alumnae have returned to add their talents and expertise to this summer’s live-theatre productions.
Boni McIntyre is the music director for all three shows. She has a wealth of experience with Thingamajig musicals, having been music director for multiple productions including “Jekyll & Hyde,” “West Side Story,” “Ring of Fire,” “Legally Blonde” and “Mamma Mia!”.
Elly Hunt, who previously designed costumes for “Men on Boats,” is the costume designer for “Bright Star.”
Season ticket special benefits
To ensure you don’t miss any of the three summer musicals, consider buying season tickets. Multiple benefits go along with being a season ticket holder including admission to Champagne Opening Nights, discounted tickets, no ticketing fees, a reserved seat option, complimentary exchanges and come-again tickets to see a show a second time when bringing a paying guest.
Another special incentive to become a season ticket holder is that you are invited to a Wine and Cheese Open Rehearsal next Tuesday, May 24 from 6:30 – 9 p.m. This event will give you an advance look at the all-star lineup of actors as they practice the songs and dances they will perform in the shows.
Season tickets are $120 per person, and $200 for a reserved seat. They are available on the theatre’s website at pagosacenter.org. Individual tickets for the shows also are available on the website — $42 for adults and $25 for kids 12 and under. Evening performances are at 7 p.m. and matinees are at 2 p.m.
Friends of the Theatre opportunities
You also can pay your annual Friends of the Theatre dues of $35 per person on the theatre’s website. Becoming a Friend brings you multiple fun interactions with the actors and directors including social gatherings, invitations to behind-the-scenes events, excursions to Williams Lake for water sports in the summer and Wolf Creek for skiing in the winter, and opportunities for one-on-one interactions if you provide rides to and from the Durango airport for traveling artists. Learn more here.
Thingamajig Theatre Company was cofounded in 2011 by Tim and Laura Moore. It is an award-winning professional nonprofit 501(c)(3) theatre in residence within the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts. Its talented actors, directors and production teams come from across the U.S. and around the world to produce Broadway-level musicals, comedies and dramas year-round. Thingamajig also is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for youth and teens in our community.
