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March 26-April 5, 2009
Something’s cookin’ at the Erie Playhouse - it’s The Spitfire Grill!”
Since it opened Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons, The Spitfire Grill has become one of the most often produced new American musicals and it will have its Erie premiere March 26-April 5 at the Erie Playhouse.
This musical adaptation, with music by James Valcq and book and lyrics by Fred Alley, is based on the award-winning 1996 film written and directed by Lee David Zlotoff.
The story centers around Percy (Leah Walters), a young woman just released from prison who travels to Gilead, Wisconsin because of an idyllic picture she saw in a travel magazine. Gilead turns out to be a run-down, dead-end town, but she’s determined to stay and takes a job working for Hannah (Eleanor Logan), the bitter owner of the Spitfire Grill. She soon becomes friends with Shelby (Alaina Manchester), the meek wife of Hannah’s nephew, Caleb (Ken Dias) and both women forge a bond. Others in the intimate ensemble cast include Chris Dearbeck as Joe - the town sheriff and Shelby’s parole officer, Karen Nasca as Effy – the postmistress and town busy body and Dominic DelGreco as the mysterious visitor.
While not filled with typical “show tunes,” the score evokes an abundance of warmth and spirit with engaging melodies, soaring ballads and infectious rhythms that resonate with a new, refreshing American folk sound.
Critics have uniformly cheered the show wherever it has played. “The score in exciting, infectious, and lively!”…Variety. “A Triumph!”…The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
The show is under the direction of Almitra Clerkin with Eric Smrcka handling the musical direction. Joe Hassler will create the multi-functional set and lights with Mary Rose Ferrara providing costume design.
The Spitfire Grill is a slice of Americana – a modern folk tale with a compelling story that is at times warmly humorous, stirring, provocative and ultimately a richly rewarding theatrical experience.
ie
Something’s cookin’ at the Erie Playhouse - it’s The Spitfire Grill!
Since it opened Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons, The Spitfire Grill has become one of the most often produced new American musicals and it will have its Erie premiere March 26-April 5 at the Erie Playhouse.
This musical adaptation, with music by James Valcq and book and lyrics by Fred Alley, is based on the award-winning 1996 film written and directed by Lee David Zlotoff.
The story centers around Percy (Leah Walters), a young woman just released from prison who travels to Gilead, Wisconsin because of an idyllic picture she saw in a travel magazine. Gilead turns out to be a run-down, dead-end town, but she’s determined to stay and takes a job working for Hannah (Eleanor Logan), the bitter owner of the Spitfire Grill. She soon becomes friends with Shelby (Alaina Manchester), the meek wife of Hannah’s nephew, Caleb (Ken Dias) and both women forge a bond. Others in the intimate ensemble cast include Chris Dearbeck as Joe - the town sheriff and Shelby’s parole officer, Karen Nasca as Effy – the postmistress and town busy body and Dominic DelGreco as the mysterious visitor.
While not filled with typical “show tunes,” the score evokes an abundance of warmth and spirit with engaging melodies, soaring ballads and infectious rhythms that resonate with a new, refreshing American folk sound.
Critics have uniformly cheered the show wherever it has played. “The score in exciting, infectious, and lively!”…Variety. “A Triumph!”…The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
The show is under the direction of Almitra Clerkin with Eric Smrcka handling the musical direction. Joe Hassler will create the multi-functional set and lights with Mary Rose Ferrara providing costume design.
The Spitfire Grill is a slice of Americana – a modern folk tale with a compelling story that is at times warmly humorous, stirring, provocative and ultimately a richly rewarding theatrical experience.
