A Musical Tale of Renewal and Hope
Ross Valley Players’ The Spitfire Grill is the kind of show that sneaks up on you. At first glance, it seems simple enough: a small-town diner, a troubled parolee looking for a fresh start, and a bunch of townsfolk with their quirks and grudges. But like a good pie cooling on the windowsill, it draws you in, layer by layer, until you’re hooked on its warmth and richness. Directed by Jay Manley, who has a knack for pulling the best out of both his actors and his audience, this production is a real treat.
The story centers on Percy Talbott (played with a compelling mix of grit and grace by Kyra Lynn Kozlenko), fresh out of prison and looking to start over in the tiny town of Gilead, Wisconsin. Armed with nothing but a page torn from a travel book, she lands a job at the Spitfire Grill, a run-down diner owned by the cranky but endearing Hannah (Kelly Ground, bringing just the right amount of vinegar to the role). The town, full of secrets and simmering tensions, seems as stuck as the grill itself. But as Percy settles in, she shakes things up, inspiring everyone to open their hearts a little wider.
Manley knows how to tug at your heartstrings without being obvious about it, and his cast delivers performances that feel real and lived-in. Kozlenko’s Percy is rough around the edges, but her vulnerability shines through. Ground gives Hannah the kind of weary strength that makes you want to root for her, even when she’s being ornery. And Julianne Bretan’s Shelby, the town’s quiet voice of reason, adds a lovely softness that balances the rougher edges of the story.
Additionally, Brad Parks as Caleb Thorpe, Kyle Stoner as Sheriff Joe Sutter, and Jane Harrington as Effy Krayneck round out the town’s dynamic. Bradley Markwick is effective as the mute, mysterious recluse.
The music, with its blend of folk and Americana, is like a favorite old record—soulful, heartfelt, and just a little bittersweet. Musical director Nick Brown and his small band give the score a warm, homespun feel that fits the story perfectly. Songs like “Shine” and “Forest for the Trees” linger long after the final note, thanks to the cast’s emotive delivery.
And let’s not forget the details: Ron Krempetz’s set design feels like it’s been plucked straight from a postcard of small-town America, complete with weathered wood and that unmistakable diner charm. Michele Samuels’ lighting design subtly shifts to mirror the characters’ emotional journeys, and Valera Coble’s costumes are perfectly small-town chic, if such a thing exists.
The Barn Theatre, nestled in the Marin Art and Garden Center, is the perfect setting for this intimate production. You feel like you’re right there in the diner, sharing a cup of coffee with Percy and the gang. And while the themes of redemption and community are timeless, there’s something about seeing this story now—at the start of a new year—that feels particularly fitting.
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The Spitfire Grill isn’t flashy or over-the-top, and that’s its magic. It’s a show that feels like a warm hug, a good meal, or a deep conversation with an old friend. If you’re looking for theater that’s honest, moving, and just plain good for the soul, this one’s for you.
Tickets
The Spitfire Grill runs through February 23, at the Barn Theatre in the Marin Art and Garden Center campus in Ross.
Tickets $40 ($43.80 with booking fee) $25 for preview and ages 18 and under ($27 with booking fee)
Box Office boxoffice@rossvalleyplayers.com
Visit Ross Valley Players Online for showtimes and ticket availability
