By Tim Moore/Thingamajig Theatre Company
Pagosa Springs audiences have been turning out in strong numbers for “Bakersfield Mist,” and this weekend marks the final chance to see the show before it closes.
Thingamajig Theatre Company will present the last two performances Friday, March 13, and Saturday, March 14, at 7 p.m. at the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts.
Even if you don’t usually go to plays, “Bakersfield Mist” is the kind of show that draws people in quickly. With just two actors on stage and a story full of humor, tension and heart, it feels more like watching a fascinating conversation unfold than a traditional “theater piece.”
Written by Stephen Sachs, the play tells the story of Maude, an unemployed bartender living in a Bakersfield trailer park who believes she may have stumbled upon a priceless Jackson Pollock painting at a thrift store. When a New York art expert arrives to evaluate the painting, the two find themselves locked in a battle of opinions, personalities and life experiences.
What begins as a simple question — “Is the painting real or not?” — quickly turns into a lively and sometimes hilarious debate about art, class and what something is truly worth.
The show features Karisa Bruin as Maude and Dennis Elkins as Lionel, whose performances have been praised by audiences throughout the run for their humor, energy and emotional depth.
With only two performances remaining, this weekend truly is the last opportunity to experience the show in Pagosa Springs.
Tickets are available by calling (970) 731-SHOW (7469) or by visiting PagosaCenter.org.