Written by orange• June 17, 2026• 5:39 am• American Coast Theatre Company, Costa Mesa, Musical, Uncategorized

American Coast Theater Company presents: The Spitfire Grill @ Lyceum Theater – Review

Written by Patrick Chavis

The Spitfire Grill is playing now at Lyceum Theater, June 5 – 28, 2026.

This musical is adapted from the 1996 movie of the same name, which explores redemption and the charms of small-town life. The story provides ample room for long, vocal showcases, which sparkle in their simplicity. Ultimately, though, it meanders among many plot points that lack impact, muddying, but not completely drowning, a very uplifting message about community, forgiveness, and caring for one another.

Story:

The Spitfire Grill follows our protagonist, Percy (Sadie Black), who has recently been released from prison in the early 1990s and finds herself in the small town of Gilead, Wisconsin. Percy’s parole officer, Sheriff Joe (Luc Clopton), introduces Percy to Hannah (Susan K. Berkompas) — a local diner owner. Throughout the musical, Percy develops friendships and learns about deep wounds while the town begins to heal. How can one life make a difference?

Some of these very intimate stories about connection and community actually do better story-wise on a smaller scale. Plays like Steel Magnolias, Our Town, or even a TV show like Gilmore Girls, if we go a little more modern. These pieces of quaint Americana can resonate deeply, like a warm hug. You want to go back to these small towns because the writers made the personalities of these townies so inviting. Watching this musical is wonderful, in one aspect, as it can soften the film’s hard edges with its music.

However, it borders on caricature when you barely get to really sit with these characters. Instead, we have a broad approach to these very specific, emotional stories, and it’s kind of blurry. The quick wrap-up of plot points in the second half doesn’t help this at all. For fans of the film, I think it works well as an accompaniment. Viewed on its own, the story moves rather aimlessly with a general direction of mildly getting to know the community centered around the Spitfire. I guess we could call it Spitfire Light.

Music/Acting:

The county folksy sound used in much of the musical works for this working-class story about people living, surviving, and trying to the best they can with what they have.

The live band at Vanguard is usually on point, and this score was no exception. David Diiorio’s piano playing was clear and well articulated.

The choices to include some scenes with the actors walking up the stairway and around the back of the audience in certain sequences were interesting, bringing the actors even closer to the audience, but it was a problem for those who do not want to swivel their heads.

While it’s most definitely easier for the singers, the direction for singing was too simplistic. While the singers’ focus on the vocals is appreciated, the audience often had nothing but a stagnant cabaret with a nice backdrop to look upon.

“The Colors of Paradise” was a beautiful, hopeful tune. The singing was excellent. It was so uplifting, I was floating a little bit, possibly in my head. Black can really open up vocally on this tune, with the help of Rachel Williams (Shelby), who was so well cast in this part. Williams fell face-first into this role, and it’s a terrific arc of growth, evident not only through the story but particularly in Williams’s acting and demeanor.

The colored lighting used throughout “The Colors of Paradise” from Lighting Designer Ken Lennon (pun intended) “shined.”

“Forgotten Lullaby” from Hannah, ironically, couldn’t it be forgotten. It’s such an endearing ballad, and Berkompas sings it so tenderly.