Poster ©2006 Joe Edkin. All rights reserved.
The Spitfire Grill
Music by James Valcq • Lyrics by Fred
Alley
Book by Fred Alley and James Valcq
Based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff
Directed by Will Wickham
August 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12, 2006 at 8pm
August 6, 2006 at 2pm
Mandeville Hall
"Have you ever dreamed of a town so small they roll the
sidewalks up? Where the waitress spills the gossip as she fills
your coffee cup?" These are just two of the questions posed
by Elmira Little Theatre's August musical, The Spitfire
Grill. While the show may not be familiar to many
people, we're sure you'll be telling all your friends about it
after you see it. With script, music, and lyrics by James Valcq
and Fred Alley, the play is based on the award-winning film by
Lee David Zlotoff. Elmira Little Theatre will present the show
August 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12, 2006 at 8pm and August 6, 2006, at
2pm at the Clemens Center's Mandeville Hall.
The show's director, Will Wickham, selected The
Spitfire Grill because he felt that its setting
had direct parallels to the Southern Tier. "What really drew
me to this show was its message of hope," Wickham explained.
"The play takes place in Gilead, a small town in Wisconsin
that is struggling to survive after losing its major employer.
Percy Talbott, the main character of the play, is a stranger who
arrives in town looking to start anew. She helps the townspeople
see Gilead through her eyes, and by doing so, she helps them see
what is good and worthwhile in the town and in their lives. In
return the town of Gilead gives Percy the renewed life she so
desperately craves."
The show's cast includes only seven actors. "This is a
character driven show," Wickham explained. "The action
and dialogue is based on who these people are deep down and the
audience really gets to know and care about these characters.
We get to see their inner struggles as well as their struggles
with each other." Without a strong cast, the play would fail.
"The cast works as an ensemble, and they've really brought
the material to life. It's always a thrill to watch the development
of community with the cast and the crew. One of the reasons I
enjoy working with Elmira Little Theatre is the caliber of talent
the group has to draw on--not just the actors, but the musicians
and everyone who works backstage as well."
The show's score is also another reason why Wickham is excited
to be directing The Spitfire Grill.
Based on folk traditions, The Spitfire Grill doesn't sound like your typical Broadway musical. "The lyrics
are beautifully crafted and are a real part of the story. The
music is equally well done and is based on Great Lakes and Appalachian
folk styles which imparts a simplicity and depth of emotion in
the songs that is truly beautiful. It is honest music that comes
directly from the heart. People will leave the theater filled
with joy."
The Spitfire Grill is Will Wickham's
second time in the directorial hot seat with ELT, although it
is the first with an adult cast. Most frequently found behind
the scenes with the StanWyck Productions Youth Theatre summer
shows, Will has often contributed to ELT on stage, most recently
as Sam Crow in the 2006 edition of A Visit to the
Golden Age of Radio.
The cast includes Jeffrey Mathews as Caleb. Jeffrey is a recent
graduate of Horseheads High School, and already he has a long
list of stage credits including Beauty and the Beast (Gaston), Guys & Dolls (Nicely-Nicely),
and Jekyll & Hyde (Jekyll/Hyde).
He was the recipient of Elmira Little Theatre's 1996 Scholarship
and will be attending the American Musical & Dramatic Academy
in New York City in the fall. Heather Slocum (Shleby) recently
graduated from Elmira College where she appeared in Children
of Eden (Yonah), Beehive, the 60's Musical, Baby (Lizzie), and You're
A Good Man Charlie Brown (Sally). Joe Edkin (the
Visitor) is a third generation ELT veteran whose grandmother made
costumes for ELT and whose mother have appeared in several ELT
musicals. Active with ELT in the 1980s, Joe left the area for
nearly twenty years, only to return to Elmira last summer. Since
coming back, he has already appeared in two ELT productions (The
Caine Mutiny Court-Martial and the 2006 edition
of A Visit to the Golden Age of Radio)
and joined the ELT Board of Governors.
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Michelle
Uschock and Meghan O'Toole Tuazon
