Music lifts superb ‘Spitfire Grill’ to sublimity
In 1999, James Valcq and Fred Alley began adapting the popular 1996 movie “The Spitfire Grill” into a musical. As it happened, this touching drama with music opened in New York shortly after the 2001 terror attacks, and it proved just the medicine the grieving city needed.
Although it has now been over 15 years since those attacks, a feeling of disorientation and unease still clings to many Americans. Perhaps that is why Mother Road decided to relaunch its incredible theater company with “The Spitfire Grill,” which is directed with consummate skill and artistry by artistic director Julia Thudium.
“The Spitfire Grill” tells the story of Percy, a young woman recently released from prison who travels to Gilead, Wis., hoping to start a new life. She chooses this idyllic rural setting after seeing a photo in a travel book highlighting the gorgeous colors of autumn along Copper Creek. Percy gets a job in the town’s only diner and, not surprisingly, is viewed with suspicion by many in this small town, including the diner’s owner, Hannah. Things take a turn for the better when Hannah hurts her leg and the compassionate Percy steps up to run the diner. Although she can’t cook, she gets help from one of the locals, Shelby.
What makes this particular production so successful is the excellent acting, especially among the women. As Percy, Amy Bourque invests her character with quiet dignity and hidden depths. The pain she carries is especially poignant in her beautiful second act solo, “Shine.” Bourque is a subtle actress whose every slight gesture and glance carries meaning. Alaina Warren Zachary is fabulous as Hannah, a bitter and lonely woman who finds redemption through the grace that comes when Percy enters her life. Kelsey Ann O’Keefe is wonderful as Shelby, a real friend to Percy when she needs one most. I have not yet mentioned Effy, the town gossip, played with expert comic instinct by Jen Stephenson.
But what lifts this show to sublimity is the quintet, led by music director Lina Ramos. Set designer Vic Browder’s gorgeous set includes keeping the band visible backstage left behind a pair of elegant transparent screens. During “Shine,” lighting designer Tim Wilkins — whose lighting design is superb throughout — lit the stage-left side of the back screen with a gorgeous gold that bathes the quintet.
Ramos conducts with an intensity that is an integral part of the show; in fact, you can see her bring her musicians to a stop right before an actor speaks or, conversely, bring her musicians back in at a critical moment in the show. The musicians, conductor and actors are thus performing together with great precision and feeling. Valcq’s music is gorgeous, especially as rendered by the talented band of violin, cello, guitar/ mandolin, piano and accordion. By and large, the singers do not match the musicians in musical talent, but their honest, heartfelt performances more than make up for any deficiency in singing ability.
Mother Road is an Albuquerque treasure. The production values of its shows are impeccable, but more important than that — it invests its shows with irrepressible heart and soul, something we should never undervalue.
“The Spitfire Grill” is playing through April 23 at the Keshet Center for the Arts, 4121 Cutler NE. For reservations and showtimes, go to motherroad.org or call 243-0596.