By Marcus Smith ’27, Student Correspondent

Stepping foot into the Royal Theater in the McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts, the bustle of urban downtown Scranton gives way to the small backwoods town of Gilead, Wisconsin, for the spring musical “The Spitfire Grill.” 

The musical, written by James Valcq and Fred Alley, tells the story of a young parolee named Percy who helps bring new life to the dying town when she takes a job at the titular Spitfire Grill diner. 

The Players will perform “The Spitfire Grill” on Friday, Feb. 27; Saturday, Feb. 28; Sunday, March 1; Friday, March 6; Saturday, March 7; and Sunday, March 8. The Friday and Saturday shows are at 8 p.m. and the Sunday shows are at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for general admission or $7 for students and faculty/staff and can be bought online or at the door.

Michael O’Steen, MFA, associate professor and the musical’s director, said the themes of found family and acceptance are more important in 2026 than ever.

“We see several broken families in the Spitfire Grill and they find a new family to fit into,” O’Steen said. “It’s also about accepting those who are different, people who are different from us, who might have iffy backgrounds that we can write off as the Other.”

O’Steen described The Spitfire Grill as “an intimate, lovely musical” that he especially enjoyed because it is an ensemble piece.

“Every actor in the show plays a significant character, carries significant vocals and significant scenes and themes,” he explained. “It’s a challenge for these young actors who want to improve as actors, designers or directors or theater technicians. The Players use everything as a learning tool and I think it’s great.”

Devon Donnelly ’29, an advertising and public relations major from Chester, New Jersey, plays Percy Talbott in her debut with the University of Scranton Players, but already has become comfortable with the company.

“I’m very fortunate to have friends in the cast that are my age that I talk to, so it’s easing me into this new experience…I feel like I found my groove,” she said.