Thingamajig Theatre Company is officially at the midpoint of our summer season, and we’ve got one word to describe it:
“Amazing”
Since opening night on May 30, we’ve welcomed enthusiastic audiences into the theater each week — some seeing their favorite show for the second or third time, others bringing family and friends in from out of town.
The response has been strong, the performances electric and the energy in the building undeniable. What a fabulous start.
Last weekend, our Whatchamawhozits kids theater camp delivered a major highlight: sold out performances of “James and the Giant Peach JR.” These young local performers — mentored and coached by our professional summer cast — brought their A-game to the stage, filling the theatre with laughter, color and joy.
To everyone who came out to support them: thank you. These were more than just great performances. They were a reminder of what happens when a community shows up for its kids, and what it means to invest in the next generation of artists.
Meanwhile, the professional season continues with three main stage shows in rotation through August 30:
“Something Rotten!” is a riotous musical comedy packed with wordplay, tap dancing and Shakespearean chaos as two playwright brothers try to outdo the Bard by creating the world’s first musical.
“The Wild Party” takes us into the underbelly of the Roaring Twenties — a jazz-fueled, emotionally charged journey through self-indulgence and broken dreams.
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” delivers razor-sharp humor and fast-paced theatricality as one ambitious Englishman schemes his way through the aristocracy (and a few unfortunate heirs) to claim a title.
Each show brings something different to the table: comedy, depth, spectacle, and our talented cast of 37 actors, musicians and designers from across the country are giving it everything they’ve got.
Whether it’s your first visit this season or your third, this is a good moment to plan your next night out. Tickets are moving quickly, especially as we head toward August and the final weeks of the season.
We also had an unforgettable moment off-stage recently: a special filmed message from Andrew Lippa, the acclaimed composer and creator of “The Wild Party.” He sent his personal well-wishes to the cast, crew, and company — a meaningful gesture that lifted everyone’s spirits and added a little Broadway magic to our small-town stage.
For tickets and show information, visit pagosacenter.org or call (970) 731-SHOW (7469).
And while the shows are the heartbeat of the theater, the Broadway Gala on Tuesday, July 29, at 5pm is its lifeblood.
The gala is our most important night of the year: a celebration of live theater and a critical fundraiser that helps sustain Thingamajig through the fall and winter. While ticket sales keep the lights on in the summer, they only cover about half of what it takes to run a professional theater company year-round. The gala helps close that gap.
This year’s event promises a night to remember:
A catered meal served by the actors.
A cabaret-style performance from the summer cast.
A live auction packed with one- of-a-kind experiences, including a progressive dinner across Pagosa Springs with serenading actors as your chauffeurs; a private campfire sing- along with the cast; and a behind- the-scenes trip to New York City with Thingamajig founders Tim and Laura Moore to sit in on Broadway auditions and enjoy dinners and shows in the Big Apple. (Airfare not included.)
New this year: with your gala ticket purchase, you’ll have the chance to request your favorite Broadway song and, with a donation, have it performed live at the event.
And even if you can’t attend in person, you can still participate in the fun. Starting July 15, online advance bidding opened for all live auction items. To get on the list for reminders and bidding links, email thingamajigbox@gmail.com.
Tickets for the gala are $150 and available now at pagosacenter.org or by calling (970) 731-SHOW.
It’s a dressy evening, but, most importantly, it’s a meaningful one. Your presence supports everything we do the rest of the year.
Finally, we’d be remiss not to thank everyone who’s gone out of their way to support the theater this summer, especially with construction happening all around town. We know it’s been harder to get here, harder to park and sometimes harder to make it a night out. But, you’ve kept coming. You’ve brought your families. You’ve filled the seats. And you’ve reminded us why this work matters.
There’s still plenty of summer left and plenty of incredible performances ahead. But, don’t wait until the last few weeks. Seats are filling fast, and we want to make sure you’re in them.
We’ll see you at the theater.