Review: THE SPITFIRE GRILL at Meadow Brook Theatre is an Achievement in Charming Storytelling

Up until March 10th, you have a chance to catch a supremely unique piece of theatre on at the Meadow Brook Theatre on Oakland University's campus. Playing to this intimate theatre, the former off-Broadway musical The Spitfire Grill feels right at home. Despite the fact that this show has been produced by regional theatres around the world and translated into a bunch of different languages, the show is still relatively unknown. Don't let this discourage you from seeing the show, however. It's a hidden gem that deserves recognition.

Written by James Valcq and the late Fred Alley, The Spitfire Grill is about a recent parolee named Percy who, upon release from prison, wants to move to a small town in Wisconsin named Gilead. Percy begins working at the town's only eatery to the reluctance of Hannah, the owner. While the primary plot of the show surrounds what happens when Percy gives Hannah the idea to auction off the Spitfire Grill to people all around the country, the show also delves into the friendships and relationships between these small-town characters.

Perhaps one of the best aspects of The Spitfire Grill is that, if you go in with no expectations and no former exposure to the material, you're going to ride quite the emotional rollercoaster. The act one finale, entitled "Shoot the Moon," is an exhilarating number that exudes pure joy. Then, just a few songs into act two, you get to hear a song entitled "Wild Bird," which is the exact opposite. Sung beautifully by Larissa Klinger, "Wild Bird" is a raw ballad that's definitely a tearjerker.

When I interviewed the director of the show, Travis Walter, he mentioned how The Spitfire Grill focuses on the characters and their relationships rather than on flashy dance numbers and exquisite costumes. Watching the show, I realized just how true this statement is. Throughout this musical, you see the bond between the main three female characters strengthen despite intense revelations and outside influencers. Outside of the outstanding songs, watching the three of them run the grill together was an absolute delight.

With this small cast, every single actor did a phenomenal job of bringing their characters to life right before the audience's eyes. I really loved Klinger's Shelby, who truly is the definition of an independent, strong-willed woman. Emily Hadick's portrayal of the main character, Percy, was also magnificent. Above all else, her voice is strong and is more than up to the task of tackling this demanding role. Another standout was Mary Robin Roth Green, who plays Hannah. Without spoiling too much, Green's Hannah completely transforms throughout the course of the show, turning from a grumpy stubborn woman to someone who's more than open to change. While watching the three of them onstage together was the highlight of the performance for me, it wouldn't be fair to not mention the sheer talent throughout the rest of the cast as well. Every actor understands their character and their motivations, and it shows.

Essentially, a ticket to this production is a ticket to not only witness storytelling at its finest, but to also hear great music while you do so. If you don't leave the theatre singing along to one of the songs, you weren't paying close-enough attention. With top-notch acting, songs that are both catchy and poignant, and a story that surprises at every turn, Meadow Brook Theatre's production of The Spitfire Grill is an absolute must-see.

The Spitfire Grill runs through March 10th at Meadow Brook Theatre on Oakland University's campus in Rochester Hills. For more information and tickets, visit http://www.mbtheatre.com.

Connect with Meadow Brook Theatre on Twitter at @MBTheatre, on Instagram at @meadowbrooktheatre, and on Facebook at facebook.com/meadowbrooktheatre/.

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