草榴视频

KENNESAW, Ga. | Nov 9, 2021

Heartwarming story of forging human connections and finding contentment in one鈥檚 new home

草榴视频 State University鈥檚 Department of Theatre and Performance Studies (TPS) will present 鈥淭he Spitfire Grill鈥� November 16-20 at the Onyx Theater on the 草榴视频 campus. 鈥淭he Spitfire Grill鈥� offers a heartwarming story about finding redemption and building meaningful relationships in one鈥檚 new home. A parolee arrives in a small Wisconsin town and struggles to find her place in a community of troubled souls who gather at a well-worn diner. Her presence sparks re-connections and reconciliations that bring the community together.

Director said, 鈥淭his musical is a heartwarming story because it鈥檚 a journey of connecting with other human beings. It asks, 鈥榳hat鈥檚 holding you back from finding ultimate happiness?鈥� Everyone has their own prison in life, and it鈥檚 finding a way to break out of that prison to find contentment. For some of these characters, it鈥檚 a realization of 鈥榯his is how I was living, and this was how it was holding me back.鈥欌�� 

Music director added that 鈥渢he characters are seeking redemption from their shame and guilt鈥攆reedom from their prisons鈥攁nd when they find each other, they find their way out. Everyone has a struggle; everyone has a common ground. We have more empathy for folks we interact with daily.鈥� 

Featuring a gorgeous score inspired by American folk music, 鈥淭he Spitfire Grill鈥� has an Appalachian feel, 鈥測et it鈥檚 small and intimate, with a five-piece band, including violin, cello, and acoustic guitar. It鈥檚 going to sound lovely in the Onyx Theater, kind of like musical theatre meets Joni Mitchell,鈥� said Morgan. 

Erin North (Percy), a TPS senior, said, 鈥淭he music is so beautiful and warms up the show from the deep conversations happening onstage. It reminds you to just keep living! There鈥檚 so much power in human connection, and it can remind you to accept where you are now but allow the past to launch you to where you want to be in life. This musical is the sigh of relief, the breath of fresh air, and I hope audiences leave with some inspiration to keep pressing forward.鈥�

Alex Osborne (Effy), also a TPS senior, said that 鈥渋t will have you crying, giggling, and gasping while empathizing with and connecting to such a unique story.鈥� Osbourne was able to get into her character in part because she used her grandmother as inspiration. 鈥淓ffy is absolutely ridiculous! She reminds me a lot of my grandmother, whom I love deeply, but who is a bit of a gossip in her hometown. Plus, the costumes I have been given to wear by our costume designer, student Sophie Gordon, are some of my favorites; these gorgeous costumes really helped me bring Effy to life.鈥� 

鈥淚n this moment of the world, it鈥檚 good for audiences to see a story that鈥檚 real, that they can relate to, but that is uplifting. It鈥檚 not an escape, but it鈥檚 life affirming,鈥� said Morgan. 

Tickets for "The Spitfire Grill" are sold out. Learn more about the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies. 

--Kathie Beckett