Mark your calendars for an exciting Broadway gala fundraising event on July 30 at 5 p.m. 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.
It’s 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 nonprofit professional live theater.
The gala’s music will feature dueling pianos played by actors Dominic Girolami and Zac Mitchell plus performances by the entire summer cast.
Other highlights include a live auction for one-of-a-kind interactions with the actors and a catered meal served by the actors. There will be a cash bar with tips going to the actors.
Gala tickets available now
Only about half of the costs of Thingamajig productions are covered by ticket sales. The remainder of the theater’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 theater up and running.
This year $30,000 of the gala’s proceeds will be used to pay off the artists house loan.
This welcoming home away from home, built in 2017, sleeps 24. It is a huge attraction for the actors, singers and dancers coming to Pagosa from out of town, and they say such first-class housing is unique in the theatrical world.
Tickets are $150 for the dressy gala evening and are on sale now on the theater’s website, pagosacenter.org, or by phoning the box office at (970) 731-SHOW (7469).
Unique auction items
A look at just four of the one-of-a-kind live auction offerings gives you a good idea of what special fun will be available to you if you are among the many lucky winners.
Always a favorite are singing telegrams, with actors coming to a location set by you to sing songs as a special surprise for someone you love. Also popular is a photo shoot for up to four people where the actors will do your hair and makeup while feeding you champagne and chocolate and choosing perfect costumes — imagine a perfect Christmas card when they join you in the picture.
Two other exceptional auction items:
• 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 multicourse meal prepared by the cast.
Past winners have called this offering the crown jewel of the gala.
• Another remarkable auction item is a trip for two to New York City with Thingamajig co-founders Tim and Laura Moore. 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.
“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. “We are deeply grateful for everyone’s support because the 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.”
Three hit Broadway musicals
Thingamajig has earned a reputation as one of the premiere venues for professional theater in Colorado, and more than 30 talented actors, singers, dancers, directors and designers are presenting a blockbuster summer season.
The three Broadway musicals on stage in rotation until the end of August are generating standing ovations and rave reviews from audiences.
“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” is the story of the early life and career of one of the most successful female singer-songwriters in the latter half of the 20th century. It was honored with multiple Tony nominations and one win, plus a Grammy for best musical theater album.
“Escape to Margaritaville” showcases the songs of Jimmy Buffett. The plot revolves around a bartender and a singer in a run-down hotel bar in the Caribbean who meet and romance two women vacationing from Cincinnati. Newsday called it “a delightful, energetic frothy drink of a show.”
“Beauty and the Beast” returns to the Thingamajig stage for a 10th anniversary revival after being a big hit here in 2014. The Disney musical made news as Broadway’s 10th longest-running production in history, renowned for its poignant story, popular songs, elaborate costumes and clever transformation of actors into beloved animated characters.
“Finding Nemo Kids,” playing July 13-16, is the theater’s Whatchamawhozits children’s summer camp show.
More about Thingamajig
Thingamajig Theatre Company is an award-winning professional nonprofit 501(c)(3) theater 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 theater 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 theater 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.
