Broadway Rose Theatre Company presents The Spitfire Grill, a touching tale filled with folk melodies. Opening night was on May 31, and performances continue through June 23. Evening performances are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Matinees are at 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Performances are held at the Broadway Rose New Stage located at 12850 SW Grant Avenue in Tigard.
Based on the 1996 film, The Spitfire Grill is a touching and inspirational musical. Percy, a spirited parolee, follows her dreams to the small town of Gilead, hoping to create a new life for herself. She takes a job working at the Spitfire Grill, which has long been up for sale with no takers. Percy convinces its owner, Hannah, to raffle it off with a letter-writing contest, and the entire town is changed as a result of this story of perseverance, grace, and friendship.
Featuring poignant, bluegrass-like music and a moving storyline written by co-authors James Valcq and Fred Alley, The Spitfire Grill is a show that has much depth to it. The plot engages themes of second chances and hope, in addition to the value of human connection. James Valcq was aware of these ideas when writing the musical, and in particular, getting to develop multi-layered characters for the stage. “The characters challenged us with a question: There are things in life you can’t overcome. Do these things disable you, do they destroy you, or do they ennoble you?” These are just a few of the questions audiences can ponder during and after the show.
The Spitfire Grill will be directed by Abe Reybold, regular Broadway Rose director and Artistic Director of the Nashville Children’s Theatre. “Deeply grounded in the natural world, there is a unique poetry in the lyrics that connects us to the changing cycles of life,” says Abe. “From childlike rhymes through passages of darkness, regret, longing, and light, the souls in Gilead sing their struggles and hopes.”
Music and book by James Valcq, lyrics and Book by Fred Alley, based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff. The Broadway Rose production will be directed by Abe Reybold, with music direction by Reece Sauvé. Scenic design by Bryan Boyd with lighting design by Larry Larsen and costume design by Brynne Oster-Bainnson. Properties design by Sam Manilla and sound design by Elizabeth Wyatt, with Kimberly D’Agnese as production manager, and Jessica Junor as production stage manager.
The cast comprises of Malia Tippets (Percy Talbott), Sharon Maroney (Hannah Ferguson), Danielle Valentine (Shelby Thorne), Brian Kennedy (Caleb Thorne), Dave Cole (Sheriff Joe Sutter), Lisamarie Harrison (Effy Krayneck), and Joe Theissen (The Visitor).
Tickets are priced from $30 to $54 for adults (depending on date). Tickets in the upper section for ages 6-18 are $20 and ages 19-35 are $25. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Two $5 tickets are available for each Oregon Trail Card holder for this performance through the Arts for All program. For a full listing of show performances or to order tickets visit www.broadwayrose.org, call 503.620.5262, or visit the box office at 12850 SW Grant Avenue, Tigard.
The title sponsors are Harvey and Sandy Platt and Precision Door Service is the production sponsor. Broadway Rose’s 2024 season is funded in part by the Regional Arts & Culture Council, Oregon Arts Commission, and the City of Tigard.
