Booked & Scene

The Spitfire Grill, now onstage at Umbrella Arts Center under the direction of Ilyse Robbins, serves up a hearty helping of small-town storytelling, based on the 1996 film by Lee David Zlotoff. With music and book by James Valcq and lyrics and book by Fred Alley, this musical tells the story of Percy Talbott, a young woman with a complicated past who finds a new start in a sleepy town in Wisconsin. The musical leans more into folk melodies and gentle storytelling than traditional big show-stopping numbers, creating an intimate, sometimes meandering tale of redemption, forgiveness, and community.

Star at the Counter: Liza Giangrande as Percy Talbott

If The Spitfire Grill is the heart of Gilead, then Liza Giangrande is its heartbeat. As Percy Talbott, Giangrande anchors the entire production with a performance that is equal parts tender, resilient, and utterly authentic. Giangrande’s joy in performing is palpable, and she pours her whole self into Percy, creating a nuanced and winning portrayal that the entire show depends on. Her emotional range brings depth to Percy’s journey from guarded newcomer to community member, and her vocals which are warm, expressive, and textured lifts every song she touches. She is, without question, the reason to make the trip to see this production.

Other Dishes Worth Savoring: Standout Supporting Performances

While Giangrande holds the show together, she’s surrounded by a strong supporting ensemble. Kerry A. Dowling as Hannah Ferguson exudes matriarch energy, balancing hard-earned wisdom with welcome flashes of humor. Her solo numbers were delivered with such heart and wit that they became some of the highlights of the show. Anthony Pires Jr. plays Caleb Thorpe with a commanding edge, embodying the role of the town’s gruff antagonist while showcasing his reliably rich vocals. Sean Donnelly, as Sheriff Joe Sutter, offers a sweet and believable romantic counterpart to Giangrande’s Percy—their chemistry makes their scenes together genuinely charming and some of the most engaging moments on stage. And while a smaller part, Catherine Lee Christie’s Effy Krayneck brought much-needed comic relief, fully embracing the town gossip archetype with hilarious timing and delightful energy.

A Taste of Gilead: Scenic and Lighting Design

Janie E. Howland’s scenic design perfectly captures the rustic coziness of a small-town diner and the surrounding woods, with layered levels that allow for fluid scene transitions without major set changes. It’s a smart, lived-in design that grounds the world of the play. Karen Perlow’s lighting design added an inventive touch, especially in the more intimate side scenes—the simple but effective creation of jail cells and woodland clearings with lighting alone was impressively imaginative. Together, these elements helped create a tangible, atmospheric backdrop for the story.

When the Coffee Cools: Script Stumbles

For all the strength of the performances and design, The Spitfire Grill’s greatest hurdle is, unfortunately, the script itself. As director Ilyse Robbins noted, “this feels much more like a play” than a traditional musical, and that shows—for better but mostly for worse. While the cast delivered every song with heart, several numbers felt inserted rather than essential, slowing down the story rather than driving it forward as I think they had hoped it would. Moments that should have been emotional or gut-punches of shock or awe sometimes came across as “told” rather than “shown,” with information awkwardly dropped into dialogue without full narrative payoff. Major reveals, such as the identity of Hannah’s son or the reason for Percy’s imprisonment, are introduced but not explored deeply enough to feel satisfying for myself. Characters who should have had pivotal emotional moments—like Hannah and her son—never even shared the stage meaningfully, making some plot threads feel unresolved or oddly distant.

Final Verdict: Worth the Trip for a Heartfelt Performance

Despite the script’s shortcomings, Umbrella’s production of The Spitfire Grill is tenderly and skillfully crafted. The core themes of community and second chances shine through, even if the path to them isn’t always as tight or compelling as one might hope it could be. Liza Giangrande’s performance alone, along with standouts Kerry A. Dowling and Sean Donnelly, make this a production well worth experiencing. If you’re looking for a warm, heartfelt evening of theater, a trip to Concord is absolutely on the menu.