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September 11-21, 2025
Workshop Players
Amherst, Ohio

THE SPITFIRE GRILL
Music and Book by James Valcq
Lyrics and Book by Fred Alley
Based on the Film by Lee David Zlotoff

Directed by Geoffrey Short        Music Direction by Heidi Herczeg

STARRING
Hannah Rutkowski as Percy Talbott
June Lang as Hannah Ferguson
Jessica Pringle as Shelby Thorpe
Kegan Sulamoyo as Joe Sutter
Luke Scattergood as Caleb Thorpe
Megan Campana as Effy Krayneck
​Ben Strang as The Visitor

Costumes by Justin Bilewicz   Set Design by Geoffrey Short    Set Construction by Bob Kessler   Lighting Design by Geoffrey Short   
Props by Marlene Hehmeyer

​Director's Note
There is something timeless about the small towns of the stage - Grover’s Corners, Anatevka, and of course Gilead - that has always drawn me into their stories. They invite us into a world where life seems quiet on the surface, yet beneath the stillness, lay deep truths about the human spirit. In Gilead, home to the Spitfire Grill for over forty years, the rhythm of life is shaped by the forested hills, the familiar turn of the seasons, and the constant hum of neighbors who know far too much about each other—and yet remain bound together in ways both comforting and complicated. But the true heart of this musical that is small in scale but so big in emotional resonance, is its ability to reach the hearts of anyone who has ever felt the weight of regret, guilt, or grief that told us we didn’t deserve a second chance. The Spitfire Grill reminds us that’s not true. That redemption is possible. That the veil of guilt, grief, and trauma can be lifted. And
sometimes hope comes from very unexpected places. When you wrap that message in a warm and soaring score brought to life by the incredible ensemble you’re seeing here, a wonderful musical story truly does bloom like the colors of paradise. I am so grateful to the team that brought The Spitfire Grill to Workshop Players - Pat Price, our Music Director Heidi Herczeg, Set Builder Bob Kessler, Stage Manager Kathy Whitmore, Dave
MacKeigan, Justin Bilewicz, Marlene Hehmeyer and all of this amazing cast and crew.
Most of all to Cindy Short—my partner in life, love, and creativity—thank you for bringing Gilead to life with such vision and heart. I love you.
Welcome to Gilead. We think you’ll like it here.
Geoff Short

Set Design