"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
Meghan O'Toole Tuazon	Sean Conor Anderson	Gail Lewis	Michelle Uschock

Jeffrey Mathews	Heather Slocum	Joe Edkin

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.

Gail Lewis (Hannah) returns to ELT following her entertaining portrayal of Mrs. Sowerberry in ELT's 2003 production of Oliver! She also work backstage with StanWyck Productions Youth Theatre in various capacities. Meghan O'Toole-Tuazon (Percy), Michelle Uschock (Effy), and Sean Conner Anderson (Joe) are newcomers to the ELT stage. Meghan has a degree in Theatre Arts & Performance from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California, and is returning to the stage after a long hiatus while she raised her three children and developed her Health and Wellness career. Michelle and her family recently moved to Painted Post from Pittsburgh, PA. This is her first show in fifteen years! Sean teaches vocal music at Horseheads High School.

With only six performances, you'll want to reserve your tickets for Elmira Little Theatre's production of The Spitfire Grill in advance as many of their performances sell out. To reserve your tickets, call the Clemens Center box office at 607-734-8191. For more information about this production and upcoming Elmira Little Theatre events, please visit www.elmiralittletheatre.com.