KU News Release

Kansas Summer Theatre opens with ‘The Spitfire Grill’

LAWRENCE – Kansas Summer Theatre at the University of Kansas opens its 2009 season with “The Spitfire Grill,” a little musical with a big heart. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. June 26 and 27 and July 1 through 3 and at 5 p.m. June 28, all on Stage Too! in Murphy Hall.

With music and book written by James Valcq and Fred Alley, who also wrote the lyrics, the musical is based on a 1996 film by Lee David Zlotoff. The show received its world premiere at the George Street Playhouse in November 2000 and Playwrights Horizons produced the New York premiere off-Broadway in 2001.

John Staniunas, associate professor of theatre and film, is directing the summer production with musical direction by Barbara Puckett, University Theatre accompanist. Dennis Christilles, associate professor of theatre and film, designed the scenery and lighting for the production, and Madison Spencer, a May 2009 scenography master’s degree graduate, is costume designer. Professional actress Jeanne Averill is a guest artist for the production, playing Hannah.

The play is set in Gilead, a small town in rural Wisconsin. Percy Talbot has just been released from a five-year prison sentence for manslaughter and is trying to find a place for a fresh start. Based on a page from an old travel book, Percy decides on Gilead. The local sheriff, who is also Percy’s parole officer, finds her a job at Hannah’s Spitfire Grill, the only place to eat in the struggling town. When Hannah is injured, Percy has to take over the operation of the Grill – even though she can’t cook.

The Spitfire Grill is for sale. There are no interested buyers, so Percy convinces Hannah to hold a contest to raffle it off for a $100 entry fee and the chance to win the Grill, based on the best essay on why you want own the Grill. Mail begins arriving by the wheelbarrow full and things heat up at the Spitfire Grill.

“This show is an inspiring celebration of fresh starts and the power of what one person can do,” explains Staniunas. “The music for ‘Spitfire’ almost defies classification and has its roots in the American and Celtic folk traditions. There are really no conventional ‘show tunes’ in the score, but rather a number of beautiful songs and ballads mixed in with beautifully interwoven ensemble pieces.”

A five-piece band (mandolin, violin, cello, guitar and piano/synthesizer) accompanies the action, providing a “rather a new and refreshing sound for a musical theater piece,” Staniunas said.

This production deals with adult subject matter and contains strong language.

General admission tickets are on sale in the KU ticket offices: University Theatre, 864-3982, and Lied Center, 864-ARTS, and online at www.kutheatre.com. Tickets for “The Spitfire Grill” are $16 for the public, $15 for senior citizens and KU faculty and staff, and $10 for all students. All major credit cards are accepted for phone and online orders.

The second summer show, “Almost, Maine,” a romantic comedy by John Cariani, will be staged at 7:30 p.m. July 17, 18, 24, 25 and at 5 p.m. July 19 and 26, also on Stage Too!

Members of the cast for “The Spitfire Grill” include (listed by name, class, major, parents’ names, high school, and role):

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66046
Jeanne Averill, 1973 and 1980 KU alumna, Hannah Ferguson.
David Stogsdill, May 2009 graduate in theatre/voice, son of Mike and Sheila Stogsdill, Lawrence High School, Sheriff Joe Sutter.

FINNEY COUNTY
From Garden City 67846
Logan Walker, May 2009 graduate in theatre and film, son of Lynn and Cindy Walker, Holcomb High School, Caleb Thorpe.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Overland Park 66210
Cassandra Hollmann, May 2009 graduate in elementary education, daughter of Dan and Andyla Hollmann, Blue Valley North High School, Percy Talbott.

MORRIS COUNTY
From Council Grove 66846
Jake L. Smith, junior, theatre and English majors, son of Marc and Molly Smith, Council Grove High School, The Visitor.

SALINE COUNTY
From Salina 67401
Marilyn Haines, junior, theatre and Russian majors, daughter of Bob and Linda German and Jeff Haines, Bennington High School, Effy Krayneck.

MISSOURI
From St. Louis 63141
Mary McNulty, junior, theatre/voice major, daughter of Patrick and Tina McNulty, St. Joseph’s Academy, Understudy for Percy and Shelby.

OHIO
From Solon 44139
Tali Beth Friedman, senior, theatre major, daughter of Roz and Ted Friedman, Solon High School, Shelby Thorpe.

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