‘Spitfire Grill’ sizzles at Chico Theater Company
CHICO » The multiple award-winning musical/ drama sensation, “Spitfire Grill” opens at Chico Theater Company, 166 Eaton Road, on July 8 and runs through July 31.
“Spitfire Grill” opened off-Broadway in 2001 and ran for five weeks. It has been produced countless times in regional and community theaters, receiving national awards.
With music and book by James Valcq and lyrics and book by Fred Alley, “Spitfire Grill” is a great musical in the Rodgers and Hammerstein tradition. It is like a breath of fresh air with simplicity and emotional resonance with lyrics that contain the essence of people caring for each other.
CTC producer and director, Marc Edson, played a role in this remembered musical when performed at CTC in 2009. This time he is happy to be director and choreographer of this show. Music direction is by Tamara Allspaugh.
“The ‘Spitfire Grill’ is absolutely one of the shows I have most enjoyed directing,” Edson explained. “The music is infectious, the story is compelling, substantive and humorous all at once. The arc that all the characters progress through in the two hours on stage is quite enjoyable to watch.
“It is often requested by audience members who saw it back in 2009,” he said. “The cast is very strong. Their voices resonate and the characters they play are very real. They are all flawed in some way, but throughout the story they come to grips with those flaws and, find happiness. The story culminates in a very nice satisfying ending.”
“Spitfire Grill” takes place in current times in the rural town of Gilead, Wisconsin. A young woman, Percy Talbott (Holly Quick), is about to be released from her prison cell. Information found in a travel book about the town of Gilead, Wisconsin prompts her to try a new life there. Upon her arrival she reports to the local sheriff, Joe Sutter (Alex Limper). He takes her to a ramshackle diner called the Spitfire Grill, run by a crusty old widow, Hannah Ferguson (Julia Thomsen), who has a big hip and sharp tongue. She hires Percy as a waitress.
Unfortunately, Percy is not welcomed by Effy Krayneck (Kathy Robinson), village postmistress and busybody.
Hannah confides to Percy she has tried to sell the diner for the past ten years. Adding to her problems, Hannah falls and breaks her leg. Against the advice of her nephew, Caleb Thorpe (Darin Thorpe), Hannah lets Percy assume chef duties and responsibility of the grill although she doesn’t know how to cook. Caleb’s wife, Selby (Regan Penning), takes over chef duties while they both search for a way to sell Hannah’s grill.
This heartwarming and thoughtful musical features outstanding music and acting. CTC recommends it is best for ages 13 and older. For ticket information call the CTC box office at 894-3282 or visit www.chicotheater.com.