‘The Spitfire Grill’ attempts to offer emotion, redemption

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Cast members of “The Spitfire Grill” perform April 26 at The Polsky Theater. Photo by Jordan Wegele

By Adam Lignell

Although past productions of the college’s Theatre department could be considered controversial, their latest family-friendly musical tells a story of hope, second chances and trusting others.

The Theatre department’s most recent musical, “The Spitfire Grill,” tells the story of an ex-con who luckily finds work at the only grill in a small Wisconsin town, although there’s rarely any business.

Artistic coordinator Beate Pettigrew said that this musical was one of two presentations targeted toward a family friendly audience, with no controversial topics in mind.

“If there’s controversy it’s from students who don’t have a lot of cultural experience,” Pettigrew said. “It’s their right to be offended; it’s our right to put on these plays.”

The play focuses on the main character, Percy, as she finds a home after her travels, as opposed to her past in jail.

“We’re always looking at the grass is greener somewhere else,” Pettigrew said. “Ultimately, it’s about being welcomed and feeling like you belong in whatever place you call home.”

The college adaptation is originally based on a musical written by James Valcq and Fred Alley, and aside from the musical’s themes, there might be more reason for students to attend.

“Whether you are getting extra credit for a class or you’ve never been to a play before, why not go to one that’s free?” Pettigrew said.

Working in the Theatre department himself on La Culebra, the department’s last play, Armando Herrera arrived to support his fellow students and friends.

“I’m a student of an acting class, so we decided to come because a lot of the people here are my friends and I know them,” Herrera said.

Although Herrera wasn’t directly involved with this play, he still thought the musical could teach important lessons to audience members.

“What most impacted me about the story was how we have to learn to forgive, even though it’s hard,” Herrera said.

Jessica Robins played the role of Effy, an overly gossipy mail carrier who keeps most of the musical’s cast up to date on each other’s actions.

“Don’t jump to conclusions about people that you don’t know,” Robins said. “Just because you might have a little bit of their story doesn’t make them a bad person.”

Robins’ involvement in the department has helped her follow her acting dreams, and she hopes to fulfill those after graduation as well.

“If it’s for you, it’s everything you ever want to do,” Robins said. “I’m moving to Seattle in the next couple months, and I’m planning on doing theater my whole life.”

Robins hoped other students would participate in future department productions and gave insight as to why their work is important.

“Anything having to do with the arts is going to make you look at the world in a different way,” Robins said. “Even if it’s a painting and you hate the painting, it’s going to make you say that’s what not to do.”

Fitting the role of Eli, a Vietnam War veteran who disappeared, Will Read is happy to be part of the team after his acting debut in the musical.

“It’s not just the cast – there’s the crew, the lights and sound, the managers too,” Read said. “It’s just a lot of fun working with everybody.”

Without spoiling any of “The Spitfire Grill’s” story, Read described what some of the characters overcome in the musical.

“Redemption is there for everyone,” he said.

Contact Adam Lignell, staff reporter, at alignell@jccc.edu.

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