Miranda Clark is Shelby (from left); Jadzia Craft is Hannah, owner of the only greasy spoon in Gilead, Wis.; and Jordyn Bunting is Percy, just out of prison and trying to make a new life, in the NWACC production of “The Spitfire Grill.” Photos by Stephanie Roat

‘Spitfire Grill’ opens Thursday, April 25

“The Spitfire Grill,” the college’s first musical production to come to the stage in 11 years, opens on Thursday (April 25) with a four-day run.

The college’s theater and music departments will offer the show April 25-27 at 7 p.m. and Sunday (April 28) at 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 for the public and $10 for NWACC faculty, staff and students.

On April 3, NWACC’s cast and crew were rehearsing and blocking the scenes for the show. The room was thick with the fumes of anticipation and sprinkled with sparks of excitement in the eyes of the cast and crew. The stage lighting technician – theater major Curtis Gilgen – and most of the cast had not heard of the musical “Spitfire Grill” prior to involvement with NWACC’s production.

“The Spitfire Grill” is an American musical with music and book by James Valcq and lyrics and book by Fred Alley. “Spitfire Grill” is based on the 1996 film of the same name by Lee David Zlotoff.

The production tells the story of a woman’s redemption, hope and sacrifice. It follows the lead role of Percy, a young woman fresh out of jail, as she struggles to find her place in the wacky small town of Gilead, Wisconsin. Percy’s role is played by NWACC’s Jordyn Bunting. One of the cast members, student Joe Mendiola is playing a character with his namesake, Officer Joe.

April 3 was the night for blocking for Spitfire. Blocking is a theatrical process between the director and cast to ensure sight lines, positions of the actors and props throughout the production. Blocking is an important and stress-inducing process with any production and Spitfire Grill was no exception. The limited space of White Auditorium means every inch of stage and aisle must be used for this award-winning Broadway production.

Professor Stephanie Freeman, theater program coordinator and director of the musical, is like a magician conjuring space and a Broadway stage presence out of the auditorium. Jackson Collins is the assistant stage director. Collins’ role is ensuring each actor is ready for their scenes with costumes, lines, and positioning.

On the music side of the production is Freda Goodman, a full-time music faculty member at NWACC. Goodman is the Oz behind the curtain when it comes to perfecting the soaring melodies of Spitfire Grill.

Cast member Marian Alvarez, a business administration major, plays the character Effy, whom she described in an interview as “the town gossip,” a “postmistress” and “the comedic relief.” Alvarez said she initially disapproved of her character due to Effy being a nosey busybody, but as the story progressed, she realized Effy’s intentions were pure; she grew to love her character.

Pictured at rehearsal for the NWACC production of “The Spitfire Grill,” are Joseph Mendiola, Marian Alvarez, Jadzia Craft, Jordyn Bunting, and Miranda Clark.

Alvarez grew up in the small town of Greenland, so the atmosphere of a small town is nothing new for her. Her favorite part of the musical is the beginning of Act II. Act II involves a heartwarming scene of a small town coming together reminding her of her own small-town roots.

 Such heartening themes of community and redemption are likely to touch their audience as well. So, whether you love musical theater, you’re from a small town, or you just need an uplifting story perhaps “The Spitfire Grill” has something for you. It will come to the stage at 7 p.m. April 25-27and 1 p.m. on April 28.

Tickets are $15 for the public and $10 for NWACC faculty, staff and students. Tickets are available at the door—cash, check and Venmo are accepted. For more information on this production of “The Spitfire Grill,” call 479-619-2295, or email sfreeman7@nwacc.edu.