{"id":108483,"date":"2025-01-26T15:39:57","date_gmt":"2025-01-26T23:39:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/?p=108483"},"modified":"2025-01-30T10:16:30","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T18:16:30","slug":"the-spitfire-grill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/the-spitfire-grill\/","title":{"rendered":"The Spitfire Grill"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A Musical Tale of Renewal and Hope<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Ross Valley Players\u2019 The Spitfire Grill<\/em> is the kind of show that sneaks up on you.<\/strong> <\/span>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\u2019re 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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\u2019s being ornery. And Julianne Bretan\u2019s Shelby, the town\u2019s quiet voice of reason, adds a lovely softness that balances the rougher edges of the story.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, Brad Parks as Caleb Thorpe, Kyle Stoner as Sheriff Joe Sutter, and Jane Harrington as Effy Krayneck round out the town\u2019s dynamic. Bradley Markwick is effective as the mute, mysterious recluse.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The music, with its blend of folk and Americana, is like a favorite old record\u2014soulful, 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 \u201cShine\u201d and \u201cForest for the Trees\u201d linger long after the final note, thanks to the cast\u2019s emotive delivery.<\/span><\/p>\n

And let\u2019s not forget the details: Ron Krempetz\u2019s set design feels like it\u2019s been plucked straight from a postcard of small-town America, complete with weathered wood and that unmistakable diner charm. Michele Samuels\u2019 lighting design subtly shifts to mirror the characters\u2019 emotional journeys, and Valera Coble\u2019s costumes are perfectly small-town chic, if such a thing exists.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Barn Theatre, nestled in the Marin Art and Garden Center, is the perfect setting for this intimate production. You feel like you\u2019re 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\u2019s something about seeing this story now\u2014at the start of a new year\u2014that feels particularly fitting.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Don\u2019t Miss This Community Gem<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Spitfire Grill<\/em> isn\u2019t flashy or over-the-top, and that\u2019s its magic. It\u2019s a show that feels like a warm hug, a good meal, or a deep conversation with an old friend. If you\u2019re looking for theater that\u2019s honest, moving, and just plain good for the soul, this one\u2019s for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Tickets<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Spitfire Grill runs through February 23, at the Barn Theatre in the Marin Art and Garden Center campus in Ross.<\/span>
\nTickets $40 ($43.80 with booking fee) $25 for preview and ages 18 and under ($27 with booking fee)<\/span>
\nBox Office boxoffice@rossvalleyplayers.com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nVisit Ross Valley Players<\/strong> Onli<\/strong>ne<\/strong><\/span><\/a> for showtimes and ticket availability<\/span><\/p>\n

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A Musical Tale of Renewal and Hope Ross Valley Players\u2019 The Spitfire Grill is the kind of show that sneaks up on you. At first glance, it seems simple enough:…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"yasr_overall_rating":0.1,"yasr_post_is_review":"yes","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[838],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-108483","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-joseph-cillo"},"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":true,"span_bottom":"