Ansonia returns in ‘full force’ with performance of ‘The Spitfire Grill’

WADESBORO — The Ansonia Theatre performance of “The Spitfire Grill” opened last weekend, showcasing small-town life that Anson residents would be quite familiar with.

In the musical, originally written by James Valcq and Fred Alley, Percy Talbott moves to Gilead, Wisconsin in search of a new life after prison. She starts work at the tiny Spitfire Grill — the center of town and where the rest of the story takes place.

While working there, she and the rest of the town reckon with their secrets and haunted pasts. Talbot also convinces the grill owner, Hannah, to raffle off the grill in an essay contest which is when the small-town drama really heats up.

Ansonia does a beautiful job of blending tales of characters’ pasts with themes of family, love, and redemption.

“[The Spitfire Grill] will bring you to tears and then leave you laughing. It portrays the healing qualities of small-town community life,” reviewer and attendee Flo Caudle said. “The entire cast is exceptional, their powerful voices full of pain, eventual healing and blissful happiness. Something we all need in today’s world.”

The Artistic Director Tommy Wooten was very happy with the turnout; shows were nearly sold out during opening weekend.

“Ansonia has returned. We are back and in full force,” he said.

At intermission, attendees can enjoy retro snacks and soda, and even cheese and wine during Ansonia’s new “Singles Night Saturdays.”

“The theatre is a great place to meet people, whether it be friends or perhaps that someone special. Come on out and enjoy a show and mix and mingle with folks,” reads Wooten’s Facebook post.

The last three shows are March 11-13: Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at http://ansoniatheatre.com/home.html.