Elmira Little Theatre will hold auditions for their summer musical, The Spitfire Grill, on June 5, 6, and 7, 2006 from 6pm to 9pm each night at the Elmira Little Theatre building, 1000 Laurel Street, Elmira. The cast includes four women and three men of various ages. People auditioning should come prepared with a song to sing and will be asked to read a monolog from the script. Auditions will be done on a first-come first-heard basis, but people wishing to reserve a time slot may call director Will Wickham at 607-796-5034. The Spitfire Grill will be performed at the Clemens Center's Mandeville Hall on August 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12, 2006 at 8pm and August 6, 2006 at 2pm.

The Spitfire Grill opened off-Broadway in the wake of 9/11 and may not be familiar to many people. Adapted from Lee David Zoltoff's award-winning film by James Valq and Fred Alley, its positive message was welcome following the events of the terrorist attack and the show was warmly received. When asked why he proposed this show to Elmira Little Theatre, Wickham replied, "Musicals are usually thought of as lighter entertainment. As a director, The Spitfire Grill offers a unique opportunity to present not only fully realized and deeply emotional characters, but characters that change through the course of the production. Usually this is what you'd expect of a drama. It isn't always available in musical theater." That doesn't mean that the show is heavy. Audiences will not come away from the show feeling depressed.

"The Spitfire Grill is a musical about change. It is the story of several residents of a village that is becoming a modern ghost town after the major industrial employer closes down," said Wickham. "It is a touching and powerful story that reflects on individual as well as community lives. It's a story that will resonate with audience members as well as hometowns everywhere."

Everyone is encouraged to audition, regardless of previous experience. Elmira Little Theatre has a long tradition of fostering the talents of local residents and giving them a chance to shine. The Spitfire Grill will be performed at the Clemens Center's Mandeville Hall on August 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12, 2006 at 8pm and August 6, 2006 at 2pm.