Photo: Mark your calendars for an exciting Broadway in the Mountains gala fundraising event on Tuesday, July 29 at 5pm, showcasing the talents of Thingamajig Theatre Company’s brilliant summer musicals cast… including Cassandra “Cassie” Brooks. Photo courtesy Carole Howard.
Mark your calendars for an exciting Broadway Gala fundraising event on Tuesday, July 29 at 5pm that will include a cabaret-style evening showcasing the talents of the Thingamajig Theatre Company’s brilliant summer musicals cast and an opportunity to bid on unique private events with the actors.
Fans of actor Dan Morrison will be delighted to know that he will return to his role as the energetic, exuberant emcee of the event.
It’s all part of an elegant evening of live music and entertainment at the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts to raise funds for Pagosa’s only professional nonprofit live theatre.
As well, beginning July 15 Thingamajig fans have the opportunity to place online advance bids on multiple one-of-a-kind interactions with the actors whether or not you are attending the Gala. If you want to be added to the theatre’s email list for this and other notifications, send your email address to thingamajigbox@gmail.com.
Gala tickets available now
Only about half of the costs of Thingamajig productions are covered by ticket sales. The remainder of the theatre’s funding comes from private donors, business sponsors, grants and proceeds from this annual Broadway Gala fundraiser – the most important event of the year to keep the theatre up and running.
Tickets are $150 for the dressy gala evening and are on sale now on the theatre’s website at pagosacenter.org or by phoning the box office at 970-731-SHOW (7469).
Here’s a new addition to the gala fun this year: When you buy your ticket, you can note your favorite Broadway song and – for a donation – have it sung by one of the actors at the event.
Other highlights of the evening include a meal catered and donated by theatre sponsor Alley House Grille served by the actors. There will be a cash bar with tips going to the actors.
Unique auction items
A look at just three of the one-of-a-kind live auction offerings gives you a good idea of what special enjoyment will be available to you if you are among the many lucky winners.
One is a progressive dinner for 10 people when the actors chauffeur you and your friends to four incredible locations where you’ll enjoy serenades along with wine and cocktail pairings to go with a multi-course meal prepared by the cast.
Another unique opportunity is hosting the entire cast at your home for a singalong – around a campfire or not, your choice – so you can enjoy their music with your family and friends.
Also a remarkable auction item is a trip for two to New York City with Thingamajig cofounders Tim and Laura Moore when you’ll join them as they audition potential actors to perform in next year’s summer musicals. This trip also includes visiting with past Thingamajig performers, enjoying dinners out in the Big Apple and shows on Broadway. Airfare is not included.
Gala fun
“We know from previous galas that our guests have been surprised and delighted by the evening’s festivities – and especially the clever and creative auction opportunities,” said Laura Moore, executive director of the theatre.
“We are deeply grateful for everyone’s support because the exciting musicals that folks are seeing on stage this summer – and all our other productions throughout the year – would not be possible without the funding raised at the gala.”
Hit Broadway musicals
Thingamajig has earned a reputation as one of the premiere venues for live professional theatre in Colorado. Talented actors, singers, dancers, directors and designers have come from as far away as New York City and California to present another blockbuster summer season.
There are a total of 37 in the cast and crew here this summer to make that happen.
Three Broadway musicals are on stage in rotation until the end of August:
“Something Rotten!” is a hilarious musical comedy about two playwright brothers in Elizabethan England who are struggling to compete with the huge success of their contemporary and rival William Shakespeare.
“The Wild Party” is a steamy, thought-provoking prohibition tale about self-indulgence and decadence in the Roaring Twenties, with R-rated content making it not suitable for younger audiences.
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” is a musical comedy about a low-born Englishman who learns he is ninth in line for an earldom so he creates a plan to get rid of the eight heirs in his way.
Ronald Dahl’s “James and the Giant Peach Junior” on July 12 and 13 will be the theatre’s Whatchamawhozits children’s summer camp musical. The kids are being coached by the summer professional actors in another example of Thingamajig living up to its mission of providing educational opportunities for local youth.
Artistic director Tim Moore said, “I’m not surprised our audiences are enjoying these amazing shows and performers. They represent a return to narrative theatre, works that are based on storytelling with great music.”
More about Thingamajig
Thingamajig Theatre Company is an award-winning professional nonprofit theatre in residence within the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts. Its talented cast and crew come from across the U.S. to produce musicals, comedies and dramas year-round.
The theatre was co-founded in 2010 by Tim and Laura Moore, both award-winning actors and directors in their own right.
Their mission is to provide high-quality theatre experiences at a low cost to our community, thereby making art accessible as well as providing a major economic driver for our tourist industry. They also provide youth, many of whom are recipients of scholarships, with low-cost, hands-on educational opportunities to see and participate in professional productions of important plays.