Something’s cooking

Starting over is a theme that resonates with everyone at one time or other. It’s an irresistible urge for some—to drop everything, release the past, and begin fresh. It could be a necessity, or, for others, a hopeless dream.

At the intangible intersection of where hope both exists and is gone lies a town called Gilead. It’s a place where the post office and barbershop are in the general store, where the only street is Main Street, and it goes by your front door. At least, that’s how Percy sees it. Gilead’s residents, however, believe that’s exactly why it’s a place to leave—not a place to come to.

Percy (played by guest artist Lexy Fridell) picked Gilead off a map. It was as good a place as any to make a brand new start. She lands at the Spitfire Grill, the only place to eat in town. There, she meets the feisty old Hannah, owner of the grill, who’s been trying to sell it for the last 10 years to escape her painful past.

After meeting some resistance from the local townsfolk curious about her intentions behind coming to this nowhere town, Percy wins them over. She suggests Hannah hold an essay contest to give the grill away, and soon the town is bustling with activity as letters pour in from all over the country, from people anxious to make a new life in Gilead.

The story beautifully delves into human nature, both its sweet innocence and painful complexity. Even the letters from would-be grill winners show the many ways people go through life.

Backed up by a folk-and-bluegrass-heavy musical score, The Spitfire Grill highlights the lives of some deceivingly complex characters in this simple town. Each character faces a need to start over in his or her own way, yet clings to the past, fearful to move on. Percy, with her out-of-towner perspective, provides the
impetus for some much-needed change.

Based on the popular movie by David Zlotoff, The Spitfire Grill grabs audiences with its Americana charm, then moves them with a story of hope and redemption. The surprise is in how the characters—initially somewhat hostile, pompous, crusty, or nosy—transform into likeable friends upon gaining insight into their personalities.

Fridell plays Percy with the right combination of strength and innocence, which makes her sometimes tough and self-efficient, sometimes small and vulnerable. She’s a good match for Phoebe Moyer’s Hannah, the crusty widow who wants to get out of the grill. Moyer gives Hannah a rough exterior, but allows glimpses of her softer side, making the character sympathetic.

Percy also unwittingly helps Shelby (played by Kiera O’Neil) with quiet subtlety, leading her to find her strength and independence as a woman used to being under the thumb of her boyfriend, Caleb. Resident artist Colum Parke Morgan portrays the self-righteous, chauvinistic, yet misunderstood Caleb.

The cast is rounded out by Bree Murphy, who brings a hilarious take to the busybody postmistress Effy, and resident artist Michael Jenkinson as Joe, the town sheriff longing to find greener pastures.

 The musical score goes from fun to inspiring and full of hope, with tunes like “Something’s Cooking at the Spitfire Grill,” “Coffee Cups and Gossip,” and “Into the Frying Pan.” Other numbers, such as Caleb’s performance of “Digging Stone,” reveal a lot about what drives the characters.

Director Valerie Rachelle called the soulfulness of the music and the truth of the emotional journey powerful
and engaging: “This is a delightful opportunity to work on an intimate show that focuses on humanity, beauty and honesty.”

Arts Editor Shelly Cone wants a hamburger. Send comments to scone@santamariasun.com.

This article appears in Aug 13-20, 2009.