The FPAC – The Foothill Performing Arts Council – celebrates the end of its 19th year of bringing musical theatre to the foothills with its presentation of the critically-acclaimed musical, “The Spitfire Grill” for four weekends only: Friday, March 2 thru Sunday, March 25. Friday and Saturday performances will be at 8 p.m. and Sunday performances at 7:30 p.m.

This rarely produced musical adaptation of the 1996 highly regarded dramatic film, starring Ellen Burstyn and Marcia Gay Harden, received critical praise upon its New York premiere.

“This is a drama first,” said producer and director Tim Borquez, “that uses a folk roots-driven score and songwriting to bring the audience deeper into this touching story’s rich characters.”

The story surrounds a young woman named Percy Talbott. Recently paroled, she arrives in the small Wisconsin timber-town of Gilead, a place she was inspired to travel to from picture postcards she collected in prison and where she imagined she could start her life over. Upon arriving, she is reluctantly taken on by Hannah Ferguson to help out at the Spitfire Grill, which she owns and has been trying to sell for years since her husband passed away. This town has lost all sense of hope and many of the long buried wounds the characters are revealed. It is through an idea to raffle the Spitfire off in an essay contest and, through the perseverance of Percy’s injured but still-caring heart, that all are healed and hope is restored to the town of Gilead.

“I’ve been itching to direct and produce this touching piece for many years, but the timing just wasn’t working out for the talented actors I wanted involved,” said Borquez. “It all came together pretty quickly this past December when all were available for this limited four-week performance window. This will be one of the most intensely dramatic productions that the FPAC has undertaken and, along with a gorgeous set that has transformed the FPAC Creative Space at New Hope Church into the Spitfire Grill, we feel our foothill community will appreciate this tale of hurt, healing and hope, backed by a very talented cast and a beautiful musical score.”

“The Spitfire Grill, a musical,” is based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff, with music and book by James Valcq and lyrics and book by Fred Alley.

“The Spitfire Grill, a musical” will be presented at New Hope Community Church, Sunland at 10438 Oro Vista Ave. in Sunland. Premium seating tickets (first two rows) are $25 for adults 20 & over, $15 seniors and students (ages 13-19) and general seating (third row and back) are $20 for adults 20 & over, $10 for seniors and students (ages 13-19).

This show is not recommended for children under 13 years of age.

Tickets will be available online at Brown Paper Tickets, www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3325578; by phone (888) 89SHOWS.

The Cast & Crew of “The Spitfire Grill, a Musical”:

Percy Talbott – Tiffany Celine Taylor

Hannah Ferguson – Fiama Fricano Traxler

Shelby Thorpe – Jill Kocalis Scott

Sheriff Joe Sutter – Stephen Jeffrey Stewart

Caleb Thorpe – Ron Truppa

Effy Krayneck – Judi May Stewart

Sarah Jennings – Jackie Sanders

Ben Gable – Jim Wheeler

“The Visitor” – Robert Armour

Staged & Directed by: Timothy J Borquez

Vocal Direction: Mazie Rudolph

Stage Manager: Cynthia Cordon

Technical Director: Jesse Santos

Additional Choreography: Judi May Stewart

Set & Scenic Design: Tim Borquez

Master Carpenter: Mike Farrant

Lighting Design: Jesse Santos

Lighting Crew: Grady Schleuder, Adrian Mier

Sound Design: Andrew Brown, Tim Borquez

Stage & Sound Crew: Cade Stedman, Victoria Negrete,

Costume Design: Yessica Armenta Bustillos

Props: Jayline Prado, Bianca Armenta

Set Construction: Hans Hekking, Mick Vehoviak, John DeHaven, Ed Garritee

Jayline Prado, Bianca Armenta, Grady Schleuder

Set Painting & Art: Juan Barba