THE WESTERN RESERVE PLAYHOUSE IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE AUDITIONS FOR…
The Spitfire Grill – A Musical
Music and Book by James Valcq
Lyrics and Book by Fred Alley
Based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff
Directed by: Daniel Hunsicker
Musical Director: Patrick Wickliffe
Audition Dates:
February 11, 2023 – 11AM-1PM
February 12, 2023 – 6:30PM-9:30PM
Audition Location:
The Western Reserve Playhouse
3326 Everett Road
Bath, Ohio 44286
Callbacks: As Needed
Performances: Only Seven Shows – April 14-29, 2023 (Friday and Saturday at 8:00PM and April 23, 2023, Sunday at 2PM)
Rehearsals: Will begin around February 26, 2023 Rehearsals will run Sunday (afternoons) Monday-Thursday (evenings) based on cast availability. This is a 6 week rehearsal process
Audition Requirements:
- Please prepare 32 bars or 90 seconds of a contemporary (1970s+) musical theater
song (no a cappella singing).
- There will be cold readings from the show – Do not need to prepare a monologue at this time.
Note: There will certainly be movement, but this is not a dance show.
How to sign up:
If you are unavailable at the prescribed times but would still like to audition, please reach out to our Director Dan Hunsicker at dhuns1515@gmail.com .
- You may sign up here https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054EADA92AA5F85-thespitfire for a 10-minute audition slot. Please bring a headshot and resume if you have one. We also are asking for all conflicts at this time.
- Video submissions are also accepted, they are due by midnight February 12, 2023. Contact the Director, Dan Hunsicker @ dhuns1515@gmail.com ahead of time for instructions.
No equity contracts available at this time. All positions are volunteer.
Roles are open to all races, ethnicities, gender/gender identities, ages, and abilities, unless directly specified by the playwright as integral to their storytelling. Age ranges listed below are the recommended ages in the script, but are flexible to the interpretation. None of these parts are precast.
Synopsis:
Based on the hit 1996 film, The Spitfire Grill is a heartwarming and inspirational musical tale of redemption, perseverance and family. Set in a small Wisconsin town, the show features a gorgeous, soulful score and several strong roles for women.
A feisty parolee follows her dreams, based on a page from an old travel book, to a small town in Wisconsin and finds a place for herself working at Hannah’s Spitfire Grill. The Grill is for sale, but there are no takers for the only eatery in the depressed town, so newcomer Percy convinces Hannah to raffle it off. Entry fees are one hundred dollars and the best essay on why you want the Grill wins. Soon, mail arrives by the wheelbarrow and things really start cookin’ at the Spitfire Grill.
Roles Available:
The Spitfire Grill – character breakdown
Percy Talbot
Gender: Female
Age: 20s
Pretty, if a bit rough-edged, her face declares the strength of her youth and a sadness beyond her years. Her accent has a southern Appalachian cadence. Strong folk/country belt to ‘D’, some head voice required.
Hannah Ferguson
Gender: Female
Age: About 70
A tough-skinned and flinty old bird with a short, no-nonsense manner bordering on the bitter. Mezzo/alto chest range.
Shelby Thorpe
Gender: Female
Age: Mid 30s
A plain, soft-faced creature with a shy, almost ethereal manner. Shimmering folk soprano with strong high belt to ‘D’.
Caleb Thorpe
Gender: Male
Age: Early 40s
Out-of-work foreman of the stone quarry. Frustrated working man clinging to the past. Solid folk/rock voice with an edge (Top ‘G’).
Sheriff Joe Sutter
Gender: Male
Age: Mid-Late 20s
A young small-town policeman with an appealing intensity and a restless nature. Strong folk tenor to a ‘G’ (touches an ‘A’).
Effie Krayneck
Gender: Female
Age: 50s
Postmistress and busybody, a woman with narrow eyes and a sour tongue. Solid singer in mezzo/alto chest range. Carries close harmony.
The Visitor
Gender: Male
Age: Mid 40s
A mysterious figure who never speaks. An actor with powerful eyes and a very strong sense of his body. (Non singing). Due to the nature of this role, the actor will only be required for a very brief rehearsal process closer to the show dates.
** If you have any questions, or would like to audition but are unavailable at the prescribed times, please do not hesitate to contact the director Dan Hunsicker at dhuns1515@gmail.com