Photo: Sydney Hoel, as ‘Bonnie’, helps care for animals stranded aboard planes diverted to Newfoundland following the attacks of September 11, 2001, in Thingamajig Theatre Company’s production of ‘Come From Away’. Photo by Justin Treptow.
Thingamajig Theatre Company’s summer repertory season continues this week and next, with six performances at the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts, including a special evening benefiting Aspen House.
The week begins tomorrow, Wednesday, August 5, with ‘Come From Away’, the true story of what happened when 38 planes carrying nearly 7,000 passengers were diverted to Newfoundland following the attacks of September 11, 2001.
For five days, the people of Gander and the surrounding communities opened their homes, schools and kitchens to complete strangers. The musical tells their stories with a cast moving quickly between dozens of characters, accompanied by a score filled with Celtic energy. At a time when the world seemed at its worst, a small community responded with generosity, humor and an enormous amount of heart.
‘Fiddler on the Roof’ returns Thursday and Friday, August 6 and 7. Set in the village of Anatevka, the musical follows Tevye as he tries to hold on to the traditions that have shaped his family while his daughters begin making choices he never imagined.
The score includes “Tradition,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “To Life” and “Sunrise, Sunset.” Beneath its humor and familiar music, Fiddler remains a timely story about family, change and the struggle to keep a community together when the world shifts beneath it.
Stephen Sondheim’s Company takes the stage Saturday and Sunday, August 8 and 9. Bobby is single, surrounded by married friends and turning 35. Over the course of one birthday celebration, those friends offer him an often contradictory look at marriage, love and commitment. Funny, honest and occasionally uncomfortable, Company includes “Being Alive,” “The Ladies Who Lunch” and the breathless comedy of “Getting Married Today.”
Next week on Tuesday, August 11, Thingamajig will present a special performance of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ benefiting Aspen House. One hundred percent of ticket sales from the performance will support construction of Aspen House’s new residential home for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Members of the Aspen House community will also take part in the evening, appearing alongside Thingamajig’s professional company onstage and helping members of the production team backstage.
The summer season closes August 29, and only a limited number of performances remain. Those who have not yet seen all three productions, or who would like to return for another visit, are encouraged to reserve their seats soon through the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts.