Thursday, October 16, 2014
Staff report
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown State University Theater will open its season Friday with the musical “The Spitfire Grill.”
The show will run for six performances over two consecutive weekends, with curtain times at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.
Unlike past seasons, there will be no Thursday performances of University Theater productions this season.
“Spitfire” is based on the film by Lee David Zlatoff. The music and book is by James Valcq, with lyrics and book by Fred Alley.
The story focuses on a feisty parolee who follows her dreams, based on a page from an old travel book, to a small town in Wisconsin. There she finds a place for herself working at Hannah’s Spitfire Grill.
The eatery is for sale, but there are no takers for the only eatery in the depressed town, so Hannah raffles it off. The winner is whoever writes the best essay on why they want the grill, and soon mail is pouring in.
“Every once in a while a musical comes along that combines a great musical score along with a deeply moving and refreshing story,” said Matthew Mazuroski, assistant professor in the YSU department of theater and dance, and the director. “‘The Spitfire Grill’ is one of those musicals. I cannot think of a better musical for the people of Youngstown. It is a small musical with an enormous heart.”
Students cast in the play include: Mark Warchol, Carly Magnuson, Connor Bezeredi, Eric Shonk, Natalie Martzial, Alli Dolphin, Katie Jerome and Emily Shipley.
Molly Galano, a veteran actor in the area’s community-theater scene, fills the role of Hannah Ferguson. “The Spitfire Grill” is Galano’s first opportunity to work at YSU Theater.
Tickets are $15 ($10 for senior citizens, YSU faculty and staff, and high school and college students; and free for YSU students with ID). Call the box office at 330-941-3636.