"The Spitfire Grill" - by Fred Alley and James Valcq - Umbrella Arts Center (Concord, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: Liza Giangrande as “Percy” in a scene from "THE SPITFIRE GRILL" by Fred Alley and James Valcq, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until May 18, 2025. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“Most folks would rather hear a colorful lie over the truth any day."
- ("Percy") / Fred Alley and James Valcq
Umbrella Arts Center
Presents the Musical
"THE SPITFIRE GRILL"
Written by Fred Alley and James Valcq
Music by James Valcq
Lyrics by Fred Alley
Director and Choreographer Ilyse Robbins
Music Director Jack Cline
Producer Brian Boruta
Cast Includes: Liza Giangrande as “Percy Talbott,” Kerry A. Dowling* as “Hannah Ferguson,” Shonna McEachern* as “Shelby Thorpe,” Anthony Pires Jr.* as “Caleb Thorpe,” Sean Donnelly as “Sheriff Joe Sutter,” Catherine Lee Christie as “Effy Krayneck,” Cristhian Mancinas-García as “The Visitor (U/S Caleb),” Kara Chu Nelson as “U/S Percy / Shelby,” John Breen as “U/S Sheriff and Visitor,” Katie Pickett as “U/S Hannah and Effy.”
Additional Creative Team:
Stage Manager - Shauwna Dias Grillo*; Assistant Stage Manager - Leanna Niesen; Lighting Design - Karen Perlow; Sound Design - Alex Berg; Scenic Design - Janie E. Howland; Costume Design - Kelly Baker; Properties/Set Dressing Design - Julia Wonkka; Stage Crew - Zoe Pepin; Audio Op - Sarah Hobbs Butler, Chris Brousseau; Wardrobe Supervisor - Tree Brock; Scenic Design Assistant - Sarabeth Spector; Scenic Charge - Page Evett; Executive Director, The Umbrella Arts Center - Eileen Williston; EDI Consultant - Kira Troilo; EDI Assistant - Ariel Welch; Company Manager - Cathie Regan.
* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
** Represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 of the IATSE
Performances:
April 25, 2025 through May 18, 2025
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
Main Stage Theater THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER, 40 Stow Street, Concord, MA. 01742
TICKETS:
For tickets or more information, contact # 978-371-0820 or visit www.theumbrellaarts.org
BUY TICKETS
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.
(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
Umbrella Arts Center closes out this latest 2024-2025 season with a gem in the charming musical adaptation of "THE SPITFIRE GRILL."
As expertly staged and performed, "THE SPITFIRE GRILL" is a tasty musical morsel that may be an overlooked theatrical menu item by many patrons.
However, as "THE SPITFIRE GRILL" progresses, the story really begins to cook.
Audiences will quickly find themselves totally engaged by its extremely relatable characters all contending with small town life eclipsed by overwhelming economic despair.
As the story begins, a woman stands alone off to the side of the stage, isolated by a single light.
Her name is Percy (Liza Giangrande), a young woman who once committed a terrible crime and has spent the last five years in prison.
Giangrande is compelling in her performance as Percy, who is both at a bus stop and veritable crossroads - both taking her to a future about which she feels equally ill-at-ease and uncertain.
Acknowledging her present, Percy is also trying to come to terms with her past while contemplating her future, as she sings:
“A place to start again. A town called Gilead. Close my eyes and count to 10.”
After serving her time, Percy is released on probation and is offered a chance for a fresh start by working on a work release arrangement at "THE SPITFIRE GRILL" in Gilead, Wisconsin.
Yet, as she soon learns, Percy cannot evade the emotional baggage and stench of ridicule that sometimes comes with being looked at as an ex-convict.
Percy’s probation officer and only ally is local sheriff Joe Sutter (Sean Donnelly) who helps Percy find work at "THE SPITFIRE GRILL," run by owner Hannah (Kerry A. Dowling).
Dowling serves up a terrific performance as Hannah, who has some of her own unresolved issues from the past (and present) plaguing her...and this arrival of Percy does not help.
(Photo: Liza Giangrande as “Percy,” Kerry A. Dowling as “Hannah” and Catherine Lee Christie as “Effy” in a scene from the musical "THE SPITFIRE GRILL" by Fred Alley and James Valcq, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until May 18, 2025. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
Perceptively staged and choreographed by Ilyse Robbins, the musical adaptation of "THE SPITFIRE GRILL" is based on the 1996 film by Lee David Zlotoff.
This is one of those musicals you may have heard of before…but it also wouldn’t be surprising if you hadn’t.
The original but ill-fated production garnered great critical praise during its short run, receiving multiple Drama Desk Award-nominations and numerous accolades from other prestigious academies.
However, it was completely overlooked by that year's Tony Awards.
The reason for the musical’s relative obscurity is, in part, attributed to the doomed timing of the show opening a week before the tragic events of 9/11 in 2001.
Not long after, the show abruptly closed in October of that same year.
Thankfully, it has begun to gain some traction and momentum from many marvelous productions such as this one by Umbrella Arts.
(Photo: Anthony Pires Jr. as “Caleb Thorpe” in a moment from the musical "THE SPITFIRE GRILL" by Fred Alley and James Valcq, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until May 18, 2025. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
As part of its resurgence to date, the musical adaptation of "THE SPITFIRE GRILL" has now been staged over 700 times worldwide - in regional theatres, festivals, stock, community, and school productions.
Part of the growing appeal comes from the inviting story of "THE SPITFIRE GRILL" and its memorable quirky yet “folksy” score which contains a couple of songs that will certainly pull at one’s heartstrings.
The score by James Valcq and Fred Alley may be a little too quirky for some and there are hardly a plethora of “catchy melodies” of which to praise.
However, the score succeeds well in propelling the story forward and in providing us with insight into the emotional impact as sung by its respective characters.
The overall strength of the musical is steeped in the relationships of its sympathetic characters as robustly executed by the stellar Umbrella Arts cast.
While Percy’s own story acts as a catalyst for the supporting characters, they, in turn, have a profound impact on Percy.
(Photo: Liza Giangrande as “Percy” in a scene from the musical "THE SPITFIRE GRILL" by Fred Alley and James Valcq, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until May 18, 2025. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
Soon after Percy starts work, it is quickly evident she has very few of the required skills associated with working in a diner…such as actually “cooking.”
So, when Percy tries to run the diner on her own after Hannah is laid up from an injury, Percy is assisted by Shelby (Shonna McEachern), the wife of Hannah's nephew, Caleb (Anthony Pires, Jr.).
The chemistry between Giangrande and McEachern is almost immediately evident, as is the chemistry found in their respective scenes opposite Dowling.
Both Donnelly as caring sheriff Joe and Pires as the troubled Caleb are outstanding as two of the three supporting male cast members but, as wisely constructed, neither overtakes or obstructs the main focus of the story, which is the relationship between Percy, Hannah and Shelby.
Donnelly and Pires are also accomplished singers, as evidenced in their solos: Pires with the intense “Diggin’ Stone” and Donnelly with the more melancholy “Forest for the Trees.”
Cristhian Mancinas-García is the third male supporting character, serving in a mute role, and doing a fine job conveying varied emotions solely through his facial expressions and body movements as “The Visitor.”
(Photo: Shonna McEachern as “Shelby,” Liza Giangrande as “Percy” and Kerry A. Dowling as “Hannah” in a moment from the musical "THE SPITFIRE GRILL" by Fred Alley and James Valcq, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until May 18, 2025. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
All the performances blend marvelously, and the story unfolds similarly as a result.
There is simplicity juxtaposed with great depth existing in the score composed by Valcq and Alley, which seems to have been influenced, all or in part, from the 1996 film’s stylish soundtrack score mostly comprised of instrumentals composed by James Horner (check out that old soundtrack sometime, by the way – it is simply gorgeous).
There is one musical redundancy inherent in the Act One closer, “Shoot the Moon,” which gets tiresome after 10 seconds but seems to go on for 10 minutes.
Conversely, “The Colors of Paradise,” sung in Act One by Giangrande and “Wild Bird” sung in Act Two by Shonna McEachern are both emotionally charged tunes.
Similarly, the solos performed by Dowling on “Forgotten Lullaby” and “Way Back Home” may have some folks in near tears.
(Photo: The CAST of the musical "THE SPITFIRE GRILL" by Fred Alley and James Valcq, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until May 18, 2025. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
Granted, on the story side, "THE SPITFIRE GRILL" has a plot that you will recognize immediately.
The characters are blatant colloquial stereotypes, and the story seems quite familiar, like a(nother) “Hallmark” movie about a struggling small-town diner, run by a woman with a crusty disposition and a heart of gold (Hannah), who takes a chance on a stressed out waitress with a checkered past (Percy).
Subsequently, both must deal with belligerent, blue collar, gossiping townspeople (ably embodied by the singular comical performance of Catherine Lee Christie who plays “Effy,” the nosy postal inspector for Gilead) who cannot seem to mind their own business (exemplified in the opening company number "Something’s Cooking at the Spitfire Grill”).
It is the combination of the music, the construction of the story and the exceptional performances by the Umbrella Arts cast that overcomes the otherwise trite plot.
The single set design was kept basic and effective, while lighting choices were exceptional in not only illuminating but also punctuating various emotionally charged moments on stage.
For a limited time only, "THE SPITFIRE GRILL" will appear on the menu at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. but only until May 18, 2025.
For tickets or more information, contact Umbrella Arts Center at # 978-371-0820 or visit www.theumbrellaarts.org
BUY TICKETS
Approximately two hours with one intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
Based on the beloved film that took the Audience Award at The Sundance Film Festival and newly revised for 2024.
The musical’s rich score is marked by Americana folk rhythms, soaring melodies, and irresistible charm.
It reminds us all about the resilience of the human spirit, the magic of new beginnings, and the power of community.
Percy Talbot has just been released from a five year prison sentence for manslaughter.
She is trying to find a place for a fresh start, and based on a page from an old travel book, travels to the small town of Gilead, Wisconsin.
The local sheriff, Joe Sutter, who is also Percy’s parole officer, finds her a job at Hannah’s "SPITFIRE GRILL" – the only eatery in this struggling town.
"THE SPITFIRE GRILL" is for sale but, with no interested buyers, Hannah decides to 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 getting hot at "THE SPITFIRE GRILL."
This musical triumph is an inspiring celebration of fresh starts and the power of what one person can do. (STAGEAGENT)
ABOUT THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER
THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER enriches lives and builds a vibrant and inclusive community through the arts. THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER promotes creativity, learning, personal growth, and cultural exchange through accessible arts education programs, performing and visual arts presentations, and community collaborations.
40 Stow Street
Concord, MA. 01742
# 978-371-0820
