By Cindy Whitehair and Perry Whitehair
The Draper Historic Theatre’s (DHT) latest production is The Spitfire Grill, a homespun story of a small, dying town in northern Wisconsin town and how a newcomer brings it hope. Based on the film of the same name by Lee David Zlotoff, the2001 musical is a collaboration between composer James Valcq and lyricist Fred Alley.
Percy Talbot, played by Jordyn Aspyn, has just been released from jail and is looking for a new start. Based on a picture from a travel magazine, she decides that Gilead, WI is the perfect place. Sheriff Joe Sutter (Josh Durfey) is her parole officer, who hooks her up with Hannah Ferguson (Ashley Ramsey), the owner of the titular grill. It is the only restaurant in town and her only chance for a job. The restaurant’s regulars, Effy (Jennifer Spongberg) and Hannah’s nephew Caleb (Nathan Metcalf) greet Percy with suspicion. However, shy, meek, reserved Shelby (Andrea Chapman) wants to give the newcomer a chance. But, as the old saying goes, they shouldn’t judge a book by its cover because they will be surprised by what they find.
Just about anytime Effy (Spongberg) comes on stage is a delight. Spongberg brings her best to this role. She makes Effy someone the audience loves and hates all at once and she is just flat-out fun to watch.
Ramsey, Aspyn, and Chapman really capture the challenge of building a relationship while overcoming their respective histories. When Percy opens up to Shelby about her past in “Wild Bird,” Aspyn’s performance brings tears to many audience members’ eyes.
Shelby lives in her husband’s shadow, as this is set in a time when women working because they want to is not readily accepted. Chapman makes the audience cheer as she begins to come out of that shadow and into her own.
Ramsey’s performance as Hannah is truly heart-warming. Her personal journey allows her to find joy in her life again.
The heart of the show is the relationship between these three leading ladies. Hannah has been through all the struggles of life that have worn her down. Percy, for her youth, has had her own struggles, and Shelby has never had her own life. Each of the ladies’ roles has special challenges that many women today will never know. While facing those challenges, they walk through the passages of the relationships from distrustful/distant to trusted friend/true family with ease. Their voices are strong and blend well; their harmonies in “Shoot The Moon” and “Come Alive Again” are breathtaking.
The men are equally strong in this show. Metcalf really helps you see the mindset, both of the area and the era (late 1960’s/early 1970’s) with his song “Digging Stone”. You understand the pressures of “walking in your father’s shoes” and what it means to him. Durfey builds a good solid character as the Sheriff. The mysterious Visitor (Nikolas Mikkelson) speaks volumes, without ever saying a word.
Here are a couple of our favorite moments the show. The biggest impression was made by “Ice and Stone,” when the harmonies between Durfey, Metcalf, and Spongberg were at their most striking. The line of the song “if winter lasts another day…” is something any person who has lived through cold seasons can relate to, but it is especially true in the land of the Polar Vortex. “The Colors of Paradise” also features stellar harmonies between Aspyn and Chapman and paints a verbal portrait of the Upper Midwesterners’ love of fall colors.
Our favorite moment in the show is “This Wide Woods”. The audience understands the duality of how Gilead’s native son Joe sees the town as “a place for leaving, not coming to,” and how Percy sees the beauty of town in comparison to what she grew up with. This dance is something that people–especially people from small towns–see every day: the dance of anywhere is better than here. It is also a great building moment in moving their relationship along from merely business (parole officer to parolee) to something more.
DHT’s stage really lends itself well to a show that needs a small intimate space. Director Eldon B Randall’s use of the space creates a perfect environment for Gilead’s heart, the Spitfire Grill. This is unsurprising, as he also designed the sets, lighting, and sound. The overall setting is adequate, given DHT’s unique challenges. most costuming choice are great, but one does not work as well as the others and some of the makeup choices were a little harsh for the intimate environment.
As a lifelong Upper Midwesterner, this show is a wonderful homage to my people. They are hard-working, hard-living, and hard-loving people, shaped by the land that reminded them of home as many settlers came from Scandinavia and Northern Europe. This show is a piece of home for any Upper Midwesterner and this production brought all of that heart to life.
The Spitfire Grill is a story of growth, redemption, secrets and second chances. It is one of the best musicals you have probably never heard of, and that is a pity. Do yourself a favor and go see The Spitfire Grill at Draper Historic Theater.
Draper Historic Theatre Presents The Spitfire Grill (music by James Valcq, lyrics by Fred Alley, book by Valcq and Alley)
Draper Historic Theatre, 12366 South 900 East, Draper, UT 84020
February 15–March 4, 2019, 7:00 PM
Tickets: $8-$12 and are available at the door or online
Draper Historic Theatre Facebook Page
The Spitfire Grill Facebook Event
0 Comments