TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR
THE SPITFIRE GRILL
A Heartwarming Musical About Redemption and Second Chances
The Middlebury Community Players present The Spitfire Grill, the acclaimed musical by James Valcq (music and book) and Fred Alley (book and lyrics) October 16–19 & October 24–26 at Town Hall Theater in Middlebury .
This powerful and uplifting musical tells the story of Percy Talbott, a young woman seeking a fresh start after being released from prison. When she arrives in the small town of Gilead, Wisconsin, to work at Hannah Ferguson's Spitfire Grill, her presence sparks change that transforms the entire community. With its soaring folk-inspired score and deeply moving story of redemption, forgiveness, and the power of human kindness, The Spitfire Grill has captivated audiences across the country since its premiere in 2001.
"This beautiful story reminds us all of the transformative power of second chances and the importance of community," says Director Kristen Ginsburg. "Our talented cast brings extraordinary depth and emotion to these complex characters, and audiences will leave the theater both moved and inspired."
The production features an exceptional local cast including Alina Donaldson as Percy Talbott, Suzanna Miller as Hannah Ferguson, Eileen Sears as Shelby Thorpe, Jessica Allen as Effy Krayneck, Finn Yarbrough as Caleb Thorpe, Ethan DeWitt as Joe Sutter, and Tom McElhaney as The Visitor/Eli.
The creative team includes Kristen Ginsburg (Director), David Harcourt (Music Director), Samantha Ryan (Choreographer), Skylar Franklin (Stage Manager), Emily Thurber (Assistant Stage Manager), and Jon Fenner (Producer).
Based on the 1996 film by Lee David Zlotoff, The Spitfire Grill won the Richard Rodgers Production Award and received Best Musical nominations from the Outer Critics Circle and Drama League. The intimate musical features gorgeous melodies ranging from folk-inspired ballads to rousing ensemble numbers that celebrate the resilience of the human spirit.
Tickets are available through the Town Hall Theater Box Office. Our shows are volunteer-run, so ticket sales keep us going. The tiers let you pick what works for you while helping community theater thrive.
THE SPITFIRE GRILL is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
OUR MOST RECENT PRODUCTION
Don’t Be Scared, It’s Only Shaw
August 21–24, 2025
MCP’s Company Be presented three highly amusing one-act plays by George Bernard Shaw, in which he aims his wit at blustering officials, pompous husbands, and restless wives.
Directed by Cheryl Faraone, Professor Emerita of Theatre at Middlebury College, the shows ran from Thursday, August 21 to Sunday, August 24, 2025 at the ART Black Box Theater at the Hannaford Career Center in Middlebury.
The Plays
The Interlude at the Playhouse
How He Lied to Her Husband
Augustus Does His Bit
OUR FEBRUARY 2025 PRODUCTION
Morning’s at Seven
By Paul Osborn
February 20–23, 2025
This Tony Award-winning, heartwarming classic by Paul Osborn focuses on the four aging Gibbs sisters and their husbands living “a stone’s throw” away from each other in a small midwestern town in 1928—and the reactions within the family when 40-year-old Homer announces he’s finally going to marry his girlfriend of the last 12 years and move out. Long-simmering resentments, rivalries, betrayals, misunderstandings, and familial bickering ensue.
OUR DECEMBER 2024 PRODUCTION
10 Ways to Survive the Holidays
By Don Zolidis
December 12–15, 2024
MCP presented 10 Ways to Survive the Holidays, a comedy by Don Zolidis, at the historic Vergennes Opera House December 12-15, 2024. This fast-paced holiday show was a merry romp through all your favorite holiday pitfalls, packed with laughs for the whole family, and perfect for spreading some holiday cheer!
Check out all the details on the show page.
Directed by Benjamin Houchen.
SUMMER 2024 PRODUCTIONS
STEEL MAGNOLIAS
by Robert Harling
August 15–18
Steel Magnolias is Robert Harling's affectionate look at six formidable women who meet at Truvy Jones' beauty salon, the social center of Chinquapin, Louisiana, and face whatever destiny brings them together, united, with humor and courage.
An MCP Company Be production directed by Kush Sharma.
Cast: Avery Cutroni, Eryn Diehl, Annie Moore-Cox, Layne Sasser, Valerie Smith-Hastings, and Sarah Stone.
For more details, please see the Steel Magnolias show page.
FIRST NIGHT
by Jack Neary
July 11-14, 2024
The Vergennes Opera House
120 Main St.
Vergennes, VT 05491
In Jack Neary's offbeat romantic comedy First Night, Danny Fleming's video store gets its only New Year's Eve customer a few minutes before closing. To his shock, he recognizes Meredith O'Connor, his high school crush. To his even bigger shock, he learns that she became a nun after high school. Only now, twenty years later, she's left the order and is wondering if she can find the love and romance that she mistakenly gave up.
An MCP Company Be production directed by Suzanna Miller.
Cast: Connor Kendall and Merrill Cameron.
For more details, see the First Night show page.
LOVE/SICK
by John Cariani
June 20–23, 2024
The Vergennes Opera House
120 Main St.
Vergennes, VT 05491
Love/Sick is acclaimed playwright John Cariani's poignant and witty look at life, love, and miscommunications. In nine slightly twisted yet totally hilarious scenes, all set on a Friday night in a suburban alternate reality, Cariani explores the highs and lows of love and relationships, ranging from insane infatuation to bittersweet endings. Full of imperfect lovers and dreamers, Love/Sick is an unromantic comedy for the romantic in everyone.
See the Love/Sick show page for more details.
