The Western Illinois University Department of Theatre and Dance will present the musical "The Spitfire Grill," at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26-Saturday, Feb. 29 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 1 in the Horrabin Hall Theatre.
The musical is based on a 1996 film by Lee David Zoltoff. The WIU production is directed by Associate Professor Lysa Fox, with musical direction by Professor Matt Bean.
The performance is about a feisty parolee who follows her dreams, based on a page from an old travel book, to a small town in Wisconsin and finds a place for herself working at Hannah's Spitfire Grill. It is for sale but there are no takers for the only eatery in the depressed town, so newcomer Percy suggests to Hannah that she raffle it off.
"As the cast and I started our journey into this script and music, we were all quite overwhelmed with the universal humanity it examines at every turn," said Fox. "There are very specific and different kinds of relationships to witness. There are many versions of communication being explored. What became a very compelling element was what was not being said. Thinking something is one thing, speaking it is another, but actually saying something out loud and putting it out into the universe changes it. Sometimes that change is soul-shattering. But, a shattered soul can mend if it's given permission. Often, it's the individual that needs to give themselves that permission. But, having people around you that allow that transformation is of epic importance."
General admission tickets are $15; $13 for senior citizens and youth and free for WIU students with valid student identification.
For reservations, call (309) 298-2900
Copy By: WIU News