December 3-18, 2010 in the Drury Theatre
Synopsis
In this Off-Broadway musical a feisty parolee (Percy) follows her dreams, based on a page from an old travel book, to a small town in Wisconsin and finds a place for herself working at Hannah's Spitfire Grill. It is for sale but there are no takers for the only eatery in the depressed town, so newcomer Percy suggests to Hannah that she raffle it off. Entry fees are one hundred dollars and the best essay on why you want the grill wins. Soon, mail is arriving by the wheelbarrow full and things are definitely cookin' at The Spitfire Grill.
In New York Magazine, John Simon wrote, “It is not often that material moves me to tears, but this was one of those occasions. The Spitfire Grill has the heart and soul that your Producers and Full Montys cannot begin to approach. What even in normal times would be a joy is, in these troubled ones, sheer nourishment.”
Running time for this production is two hours.
History
In 2000, The Spitfire Grill was presented with the Richard Rodgers Production Award, which is administered by The American Academy of Arts and Letters. Stephen Sondheim chaired the committee that chose the The Spitfire Grill as the winner. Other members of the committee included Lynn Ahrens, Jack Beeson, John Guare, Sheldon Harnick, R. W. B. Lewis, Richard Maltby, Jr., and Robert Ward.
The Off-Broadway production featured Phyllis Somerville as Hannah, Garrett Long as Percy, and Liz Callaway as Shelby and was directed by David Saint. The show received Best Musical nominations from the Outer Critics Circle and Drama League, as well as Drama Desk nominations for Garrett Long as Outstanding Actress in a Musical and Liz Callaway as Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical.
Visit the official website for The Spitfire Grill.
Hear excerpts from the original cast soundtrack.
Performances
- Friday, December 3 at 7:30 pm
- Saturday, December 4 at 7:30 pm
- Thursday, December 9 at 7:30 pm
- Friday, December 10 at 7:30 pm
- Saturday, December 11 at 7:30 pm
- Sunday, December 12 at 3:00 pm
- Thursday, December 16 at 7:30 pm
- Friday, December 17 at 7:30 pm
- Saturday, December 18 at 7:30 pm
Tickets
Tickets for The Spitfire Grill are $20. Purchase tickets securely online.
Auditions
Auditions will be held the week of September 19th.
Details about auditions, including musical requirements, will be posted when they become available. None of the roles are precast.
Character Breakdown:
- Percy Talbott
- Female, Mezzo/Belter, age 25-35, lead character, a parolee who travels to a small town in rural Wisconsin in her search for a new life
- Hannah Ferguson
- Female, Alto, age 67-77, the crusty old widow who owns The Spitfire Grill
- Shelby Thorpe
- Female, Soprano, age 27-37, Caleb's wife who is an excellent cook and helps run the grill
- Caleb Thorpe
- Male, Baritone, age 36-44, Hannah's nephew who lost his job at the quarry
- Joe Sutter
- Male, Tenor, age 25-34, the local Sheriff
- Effy Krayneck
- Female, Alto, age 50-65, the town postmistress and local busybody
- The Visitor/Eli
- Male, Mute, age 42-52, Hannah's longlost son, a Vietnam veteran