Umbrella’s ‘Spitfire Grill’ proves there’s beauty in second chances

Brian Boruta calls it “a hidden gem” that is “rarely produced.” 

Winner of a 2001 Richard Rodgers Musical Award, “The Spitfire Grill” will be staged at The Umbrella Performing Arts Center from April 25 to May 18. 

Boruta, producing artistic director at The Umbrella, says the musical’s “focus on community, rediscovery, and transformation will uplift the spirit, and its soaring score will satisfy the soul.” 

James Valcq wrote “The Spitfire Grill,” with Fred Alley penning the book and lyrics. The play, based on the 1996 film that won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, premiered in 2000 and follows a determined young woman, Percy Talbott, who was just released from prison and seeks a fresh start in a rural Wisconsin town, Gilead. 

Ilyse Robbins, a teacher, coach, and writer from Boston, will direct the production. Her recent projects include last season’s “Lizzie” at The Umbrella, “Noises Off” at the Lyric Stage, and “All is Calm” at the Greater Boston Stage Company, which won an Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Musical Production. 

Returning Umbrella favorites in the cast are Liza Giangrande (“Lizzie”), Shonna McEachern (“The Full Monty”), Anthony Pires Jr. (“Tuck Everlasting” “Parade), and Catherine Lee Christie (“Tartuffe”). They will be joined by Kerry A. Dowling (Lyric Stage productions of “A Man of No Importance,”  “Speakeasy,” and “Murder on the Orient Express”), Sean Donnelly (“Steel Pier” at the Sullivan Rep.), Cristhian Mancinas-Garcia, Kara Chu Nelson, Katie Pickett, and John Breen. 

Tickets for “The Spitfire Grill” running from April 25-May 18 are $48-$58 for adults, with discounts for students, seniors, and groups. Dinner-and-a-Show packages are available for all Thursday night performances. Talk Backs are scheduled after the May 2 and May 8 performances. Childcare with art activities for children ages 5-12 will be offered for parents attending the May 4 matinee. The Umbrella Arts Center Main Stage is at 40 Stow Street and is wheelchair accessible. For more information, go to TheUmbrellaArts.org/tickets.