Actors, songs shine in 'Spitfire Grill'

October 19, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

By Eric McCrea

The small town of Gilead, Wis., gets shaken up in Youngstown State University Theatre’s latest production, “The Spitfire Grill.” After Percy Talbott, played by Natalie Martzial, is released from prison, she hops on a bus for Gilead, a place she’s only seen in pictures, and where she knows no one. Once there, the local sheriff (Connor Bezeredi) helps her get a job in the only diner/boardinghouse in town, the Spitfire Grill. Soon, grill owner Hannah Ferguson, played by Molly Galano, suffers a fall and breaks her leg, thrusting the responsibility of running the Spitfire on the shoulders of Percy and town beauty Shelby Thorpe (Carly Magnuson). It doesn’t take long for Percy and Shelby to become close friends. When they come up with a creative idea to find new owners for the grill, the town is abuzz with gossip.

Director Matthew Mazuroski has taken a mediocre show and filled it with talent. Martzial is spectacular in the lead role, carrying much of the show. Her gift for singing becomes apparent with her opening song, “A Ring Around the Moon,” and is reinforced with her duet with Bezeredi (“This Wide Woods”) and her uplifting solo “Shine.” Her aptitude for acting is palpable, and she delivers a no-nonsense kind of character with a deep underlying vulnerability.

Bezeredi is valiant and debonair. He has been impressive this past year, and shows no signs of disappointing anytime soon. His vocal skills are put to good use in this show with songs such as his duet and “Forest for the Trees.”

Local stage phenom Galano lends a lot of credibility to this cast. As the Gilead’s de facto matriarch, she provides discipline and direction for her employees and neighbors. It becomes apparent early that she has some secrets, and her guarded nature leaves you on the edge of your seat.

Magnuson is a delight. Her dulcet solo “Wild Bird” is moving and soft, much like her role. There’s a flaw in the script that paints her as being in an abusive marriage with Caleb (Eric Shonk), but she proves otherwise with a hidden strength.

In the role of Effy Krayneck, Alli Dolphin is comic gold. She elicits laughs just by walking onstage. Her performance is nuanced and polished. She shows her capacity early in the trio section of “Something’s Cooking at the Spitfire Grill,” as do Bezeredi and Shonk.

Also worthy of note is Mark Warchol, in his silent, haunting role of the Visitor.

The show had a few opening night issues with sound. A lack of real conflict in the story makes “Spitfire” slow to pick up, leading to a rushed resolution. Some of the songs are unimpressive and slightly repetitive, but this did not hinder the cast at all. The scenery, designed by Ellen E. Jones, was impressive, and impeccable lighting design by David Palmer creatively highlights the set.

“The Spitfire Grill” runs Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in YSU’s Ford Theatre. For reservations, call 330-941-3105 or visit www.ysu.tix.com.