Show opens Feb. 27 at University of Scranton
The University of Scranton Players will present “The Spitfire Grill,” with music and book by James Valcq, lyrics and book by Fred Alley, based on the 1996 film by Lee David Zlotoff, and directed by Michael O’Steen. Scranton native Stephen Murphy will make his Scranton Players debut as the musical director.
The production will run for two weekends, Feb. 27 to March 1 and March 6 to March 8. The Friday and Saturday shows are at 8 p.m., and the Sunday shows are at 2 p.m. All performances are in the Royal Theater in the McDade Center for the Literary and Performing Arts on the University of Scranton campus.
Percy Talbot has just been released from prison and is looking for a fresh start. She travels to the small town of Gilead, Wisconsin, and gets a job working at Hannah’s Spitfire Grill. The Spitfire Grill is for sale, but when there are no interested buyers, Hannah decides to raffle it off with entry fees of $100, and the best essay on why you want the grill is the winner. Essays arrive in greater numbers each day as the community begins to take an interest and Percy reawakens the town’s capacity for hope and forgiveness. “The Spitfire Grill” is a celebration of fresh starts and human kindness.
The company of “The Spitfire Grill” features: Devin Donnelly of Chester, New Jersey; Lauren DeSantis of Long Island, New York; Gabriella Palmer of Phoenixville; Cassidy Pfeiffer of Old Forge; Alexander Smulowitz of Shavertown; Marcus Smith of Schuylkill Haven; and James Stensland of Huntingtown, New York.
Tickets are $10 for general admission and $7 for senior citizens, students, and University of Scranton faculty and staff. First-year students at the University can see the show for free on the first weekend.
For information, contact the University Players box office at 570-941-4318.
The University of Scranton Players bring to the community a mix of classical and contemporary works under the direction and mentorship of award-winning faculty and guest artists.