This February, Concordia University Theatre presents The Spitfire Grill, a heartwarming and inspirational American musical with music and book by James Valcq and lyrics and book by Fred Alley, based on the 1996 film of the same name.

The Spitfire Grill is a story of redemption, perseverance, and family, centered around Percy Talbott, a young woman newly released from prison. Seeking to start life over, Percy chooses the town of Gilead, Wisconsin, after seeing a beautiful image in an old travel book. As Percy begins working at the town’s Spitfire Grill, she discovers that Gilead and its residents have experienced losses of their own. And the Grill is for sale, but there are no takers for the only eatery in the depressed town, so newcomer Percy convinces owner Hannah to raffle it off, a project that energizes the whole town. Along the way, characters discover home and hope; sometimes, in surprising places.

The cast includes Anna McCauley, as Percy Talbott; Tyler Ortega, as Joe Sutter; Lilly McCoy, as Hannah Ferguson; Sebastien MacKenzie, as Caleb Thorpe; Keierra Collins, as Shelby Thorpe,; Kendra Theimer, as Effy Krayneck; and Christian Garza, as The Visitor.

The Spitfire Grill  will be staged by the Director of Fine Arts, Dr. Kelly Carolyn Gordon, with musical direction by Artha Weaver, set design by Hsiao-Wei Chen, costumes by Madison Murrah, and lighting by graduating senior Nick Vallee. Sophomore Molly Collins is the stage manager. The accompanist is Dr. Joseph Choi. The musical will be performed in Concordia’s Black Box Theatre, February 23-25 at 7:30 pm and February 26th at 2 pm. For general admission, single play tickets are $10. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Appropriate for adult audiences.

For more information about the plays and to purchase tickets, please visit: http://www.concordia.edu/academics/school-of-fine-arts/theatre-program/