Spitfire Grill

[BroadwayBoy2005]

Posted: 8/31/03 at 10:07pm

Ok, the rep theatre in my area is putting on a musical called 'Spitfire Grill'. They say it's based on the movie. I've never heard of it all so tell me a basic synopsis on it if you will and if it would cause a 17 year old boy and his 67 year old grandmother to leave halfway through act one. thanks so much.

-bb2005

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/31/03 at 10:11pm

The movie was a wonderful little movie that had a lot of critical acclaim but not much money at the box office. I enjoyed it when I saw it. It had something to do with a grill and a drifter who had been released from jail and how they raise money to save the grill. If my mind recalls correctly.

[JO125]

Posted: 9/1/03 at 12:20am

The Spitfire Grill was a musical produced by Playwrights Horizons
in 2001 I believe. It wasn't around very long, so I didn't get to see it, although I had wanted to. It was based on the movie.
Is it the same musical that your local rep is doing? Maybe Playwrights Horizons has some info.

[tbrean]

Posted: 9/1/03 at 10:37am

Spitfire Grill tells the story of 21-year-old Percy, who arrives in a small Wisconsin town after her release from prison and is grudingly given a job by the older Hannah, owner of the town diner. While the rest of the town isn't as welcoming, the two women form an unlikely alliance to raffle off the grill.

I saw a production at Apple Tree Theatre here in Chicago. The show was sweet and had a few very nice songs. The original cast recording, which has Liz Callaway, is also worth picking up.

[Sheri]

Posted: 9/2/03 at 5:28am

I was fortunate enough to have seen "Spitfire Grill" when it ran at the Laguna Playhouse in LA late last year. The story was touching and the score was beautiful in a folksy sort of way. I really enjoyed it. And though it's based on the movie, the musical is a lot less depressing and dark and actually quite uplifting.

[QueenS]

Posted: 9/2/03 at 10:09am

I loved the movie and enjoyed the musical very much. It was adapted pretty well into a small show, which should do quite well regionally with its minimal set and small to medium sized cast with great roles for women. However, I don't remember too much about the music, what really stood out were the performances of Garrett Long, Liz Calloway and Steven Pasquale.

There's nothing offensive in the show, though it is possible that it might appeal more to a 67 year old grandmother than a 17 year old boy. Updated On: 9/2/03 at 10:09 AM

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 9/2/03 at 2:14pm

i saw a regional production in Missouri in August and liked the music very much. i then picked up the CD with one of my favorites, Liz Callaway (playing a role i never would have put her in given the production i saw) and found the score even better. It also has one of my favorite character actresses, Mary Gordon Murray, in the smallest of the roles. She's a great singer in her own right. i agree this is a wonderful regional small musical, and i think the energy and almost country-pop sound of the score could attract some younger audiences.