Photo: Trevor Brown and Samantha Luck are among the actors who will be auctioned off for unique interactions with successful bidders as part of the exciting gala fundraising event on Tuesday, July 29. Photo courtesy Carole Howard.
Actors performing in Thingamajig Theatre Company’s brilliant summer musicals will be auctioned off as part of the exciting Broadway Gala fundraising event on Tuesday, July 29 at 5pm for unique private events with lucky winners and their friends.
The auction is a highlight of an elegant evening of live cabaret-style music and entertainment at the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts to raise funds for Pagosa’s only professional nonprofit live theatre.
Thingamajig fans who move quickly have the opportunity to place online advance bids on multiple one-of-a-kind actor interactions whether or not you attend 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.
Unique auction items
A look at some of the many innovative and unique auction offerings gives you a good idea of what special enjoyment will be available if you are among the lucky auction 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 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.
Other examples of special interactions that make this auction so distinctive: A campfire singalong, a card-making event, dinners prepared by Dan Morrison and also by Samantha Luck and Trevor Brown, a whiskey tasting party, a Viennese dinner, dancing lessons with actor-choreographer Andre Spathelf-Sanders with a cameo appearance on stage, and a golf game with Tim Moore and Trevor Brown.
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.
Gala facts and 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.”
Added Tim Moore, artistic director and co-founder of Thingamajig with his wife Laura: “With production costs increasing every year, we urgently need your support to cover essential costs and continue our mission of cultural enrichment and community engagement,” he said. Our theatre is more than just entertainment. It’s a significant economic driver making significant contributions to Pagosa’s economy, and it’s a community cornerstone providing educational programs and opportunities for local artists and youth.”
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.
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.”
Ronald Dahl’s “James and the Giant Peach Junior” on July 12 and 13 was the theatre’s Whatchamawhozits children’s summer camp musical. The kids were mentored and coached by the summer professional actors in another example of Thingamajig living up to its mission of providing educational opportunities for local youth.
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.
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.
Learn more at pagosacenter.org.