[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of The Actors Co-op Theatre Company’s The Spitfire Grill with music and book by James Valcq, lyrics and book by Fred Alley, directed by Bonnie Hellman, and produced by Kimi Walker.
The Spitfire Grill is a musical adaptation of the 1996 film of the same name. Percy, a young woman recently released from prison, arrives in the small Wisconsin town of Gilead. All alone in the world, she found a story on Gilead in a magazine in prison and still keeps the clipping of the fire colored fall trees folded in her pocket. She hopes to find a new life for herself there. The local sheriff, in charge of her parole, walks her over to The Spitfire Grill and introduces her to Hannah, the owner. Hannah is a widow and her age is creeping up on her. She needs help, although it seems clear she would be the last one to ask for it. But she takes Percy in and trains her to run the grill. Of course, small towns have small minds and when Hannah has a bad fall and needs months to recuperate, tongues wag and gossip flies.
It’s a classic and beautiful story full of nuance and wonderful characters with real purpose, even if they only live their lives in one place. Or perhaps because of it. And the songs are truly wonderful. Full of gorgeous harmonies and that strange melancholy longing only found in American folk music.
The incredible cast of this Actors Co-op production fills this simple story and these phenomenal songs with heart and humor and meaning.
These days we need to remind each other that our lives are significant. To ourselves as well as to each other. This story revolves around really seeing the meaning in what we do every day. It’s so easy to lose ourselves in all the drama of the world around us and forget who we are, especially to each other and why we exist.
The Spitfire Grill is a small cafe in a small town, the only place to eat in fact, for the residents of Gilead, apart from their own kitchens. It is the heart of the community, and when a stranger finds a place for herself there, it changes things. But change is not only inevitable, it is necessary. Gilead needed shaking awake and Percy and Hannah and the Spitfire Grill were happy to oblige.
Every voice in this chorus of angels is amazing. But Hannah Howzdy as Percy demands a mention. She opens the show and her piercing haunting voice cuts through all the stubbornly remaining noise of the day in my head and pulled me into this wonderful story.
I would also like to mention Caitlin Gallogly as Percy’s stalwart coworker, Shelby. What a gorgeous, soulful voice and what a phenomenal performance she gives!
But truly, everyone was brilliant. It really is an ensemble piece and an unforgettable musical journey through a small town and their struggle to remain relevant in a crumbling world.
Community matters. Forgiveness and understanding matter. Every life and every day matters. Finding powerful beautiful and artful ways to connect and bring love and hope matters.
I highly recommend The Spitfire Grill and The Actors Co-op. Every production I have seen here has blown me away, but you really can’t beat a musical!! Bravo!
When:
May 2 – June 8
Fridays and Saturdays 7:30pm, Sundays 2:30pm, with additional matinees with additional matinees Saturday, May 17 at 3:00pm and Saturday, May 31 at 2:30pm.
Where:
The Actors Co-op
1760 North Gower St., Hollywood, CA 90028
Tickets:
https://ci.ovationtix.com/35603
The Spitfire Grill Cast
The Actors Co-op cast features the talents of (in alphabetical order), Lori Berg (Hannah Ferguson), Caitlin Gallogly* (Shelby Thorpe), Gavin Michael Harris (Sheriff Joe Sutter), Hannah Howzdy (Percy Talbott), Ben Kientz (The Visitor), Spencer Rowe*(Caleb Thorpe) and Treva Tegtmeier* (Effy Krayneck).
The Team
The production team includes Bonnie Hellman (Director), Stephen Van Dorn (Musical Director), Kimi Walker (Producer), Tim Farmer (Scenic/Set Designer), Nick Foran (Lighting Designer), A. Jeffrey Schoenberg (Costume Designer), Mark Antonio Pritchett (Sound Designer), Nick Santiago (Projection Designer), Robert Thompson (Carpenter), Rachel Kupfer-Weinstein (Property Designer), Judi Lewin (Hair/Wig/Makeup Designer), Nikki Alday (Stage Manager) and Jennie White (Assistant Stage Manager).
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