PHOTO: Thingamajig Theatre Company professional actors (L-R) Trevor Brown, Jesse Kortus and Rosa Campbell are among the favorite alumni who arrived at the Durango Airport where they were welcomed and driven to the actor house in Pagosa Springs by ‘Friends of the Theatre’ members. Photo courtesy Carole Howard.
Professional actors, a director and a costume designer have arrived in Pagosa Springs from across the country for rehearsals of a special Christmas show and concert that Thingamajig Theatre Company will present this holiday season at the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts.
Charlie Brown and your favorite Peanuts characters will be lovingly portrayed on stage in “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” an uplifting family-friendly production priced at family-friendly rates. Live performances start next Friday, December 16 and continue through most of the month of December.
In this show you’ll watch Charlie Brown and his friends including Lucy, Linus, Sally, Schroeder and Snoopy, among the most iconic group of youngsters on the planet, as they interact and learn the true meaning of Christmas.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” — based on the 1965 hit animated TV special of the same name — is a nostalgic show that features the imaginary children created by Charles Schultz. These beloved characters will be brought to life on the Thingamajig stage by a cast that includes several favorite Thingamajig alumni.
As well, the actors will perform a holiday concert titled “A Merry Little Christmas” that will showcase the singing and dancing skills of the actors.
The announcement was made by Tim Moore, the theatre’s producing artistic director. “It’s a special treat for us to present such a heartwarming show about Charlie Brown and his friends for kids of all ages as well as a special holiday concert that will appeal to everyone who loves joyful Christmas music,” he said.
Multiple talented artists return
“Charlie Brown” features five professional actors, all hugely popular with local and out-of-town audiences from previous performances at Thingamajig.
They include two perennial favorites – Trevor Brown and Samantha “Sam” Luck, who most recently wowed audiences in this summer’s season that included “Bright Star,” “Guys and Dolls” and “SpongeBob Musical.” They are joined by Jesse Kortus, who brought new life to the role of Nathan Detroit in “Guys and Dolls;” Rosa Campbell, a veteran of “Men in Boats” and stage manager this summer; and Kristi Contreary, a star of “Miracle on 34th Street” last Christmas.
“Charlie Brown” is being directed and choreographed by Andrew Barratt Lewis, who directed and choreographed “Bright Star” this summer, “Miracle on 34th Street” last Christmas and “A Grand Night for Singing” during Christmas 2019.
Costume design is by Elly Hunt, whose creative work on the Thingamajig stage has included “Bright Star” and “Men on Boats.”
Andrew Barratt Lewis has conceived and is directing “A Merry Little Christmas”, which takes advantage of his creative skills and the impressive dancing and singing talents of the actors. This special event will be performed three times at 7 p.m. on December 22, 23 and 26.
Of course, as befitting good holiday experiences, the audience will be treated to childhood exuberance and an inspirational message in “Charlie Brown.” We promise that after this 45-minute performance you will be humming all the way home – and the same will be true after the holiday concert.
Tickets available now
“Charlie Brown” opens on December 16 and will be performed most days through December 29. Evening performances are at 7 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. “Charlie Brown” tickets are priced at the family-friendly rate of $20 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under.
Tickets for the “A Merry Little Christmas” holiday concert are $35 for adults and $20 for kids 12 and under.
You can order tickets for “Charlie Brown” and the holiday concert on the theatre’s website at pagosacenter.org or by phoning 970-731-SHOW (7469).
Treating your family and friends to these events makes a very special holiday gift for everyone, yourself included.
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 designers come from across the U.S. and Canada to produce musicals, comedies and dramas for local and out-of-town audiences. Thingamajig is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for youth and teens in our community, including a winter theatre camp this holiday season that will result in performances of the hilarious and heartwarming “A Year with Frog and Toad KIDS.”