Actresses Emily Van Vliet Perea, Kimberly Dorren Burns and Laura Turnbull all shine as the lead characters (Percy, Shelby and Hannah respectfully) in the two act musical “The Spitfire Grill” by composers Fred Alley and James Valcq, running now until November 2 at Actors’ Playhouse in Coral Gables.
Originally based on the 1996 “The Spitfire Grill” film which was dark and dramatic, Alley and Valcq created a more optimistic story with plenty of drama but also lots of hope in their musical created in 2001.
The story centers on Percy (Perea), who was released from prison on parole and moves to a small Wisconsin town to rebuild her life. The young sheriff Joe (actor Nate Promkul) gives Percy lots of hope by getting her a job working for Hannah (Turnbull), a widow at the local diner “The Spitfire Grill.”
Also working at “The Spitfire Grill” is Shelby (Burns), who is married to Hannah’s nephew Caleb (Jim Ballard) and completing the cast are Effy the town gossip (Heather Jane Rolff) and an unnamed visitor (Tom Wahl).
Titled “The Spitfire Grill Owner and Workers” From left to right: Actresses Emily Van Vlet Perea (Percy), Laura Turnbull (Hannah) and Kimberly Doreen Burns (Shelby) bond in a scene from the musical “The Spitfire Grill”, running now through November 2 at Actors’ Playhouse in Coral Gables.
The story, primarily told through song (especially in act one) centers on the townsfolk learning about Percy’s past in prison, Hannah lamenting about trusting Percy as well as expressing hope to find her missing adult son Eli, Percy becoming a lot more to Joe than another parolee, Caleb seeking out a better life for himself and Shelby trying to manage a troubled marriage with Caleb.
The ten songs in act one contain emotional lyrics that are used effectively by the actors to move the story along. The audience learns of Percy’s hope for a new life in “A Ring Around The Moon” and “Out of the Frying Pan”. Shelby yearns for a better life herself in “When Hope Goes” and Hannah recalls her past years in “Forgotten Lullaby”.
Many of the secrets kept hidden by all the characters start to unfold in act two with surprising consequences. Joe’s hopes for Percy are revealed in song with “Forest for the Trees”, Shelby’s frustration with Caleb is expressed in “Wild Bird” and Hannah’s renewed optimism is expressed in “Way Back Home”. Act two featured six songs with a lot more dialogue and interaction between the characters as the tension builds leading to a climax in the story.
Although the musical offers optimism as characters bond, there are also many meandering ups and downs in the story that are convincing because of the stunning performances by the actors, especially by Burns, Perea and Turnbull.
Each of the three actresses made their characters shine by expressing a large array of emotions. In addition, the three actresses each possessed a large musical range that led the audience to anger, tears and hope as the story unfolded.
Along with the superb cast, the five musicians in the band (conductor Nick Guerrero, accordionist Tatiana Semichastnoval, cellist Marcel Krasner, guitarist Alvaro Bermudez and violinist Tony Seepersad) added to the emotion in the story by performing the 16 songs in the musical.
Actors’ Playhouse Director David Arisco, Costume designer Ellis Tillman, Lighting Designer Eric Nelson and Scenic Designer Brandon M. Newton all added to the production with their costumes, lighting and set design.
Actresses Emily Van Vliet Perera, Kimberly Doreen Burns and Laura Turnbull lead a seven actor cast in the two act musical “The Spitfire Grill” by composers Fred Alley and James Valcq. The showruns now through November 2 at Actors’ Playhouse, 280 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables. Tickets range from $45-$100. For tickets and more information, call 305-444-9293 or go to actorsplayhouse.org
