The Theatre program is set to conclude its 2025-26 season with a production of the musical *The Spitfire Grill*. Performances are scheduled for April 23-25 at Startup Chapel on the university’s campus in Walnut Ridge.
Written by James Valcq and Fred Alley, the musical is based on a 1996 film of the same name. It tells the story of Percy Talbot, a woman eager for a fresh start after serving a five-year prison sentence for manslaughter. Percy finds refuge in the small town of Gilead, Wisconsin, and at the Spitfire Grill, a diner on the brink of closure. The plot unfolds as the grill’s owner, Hannah Ferguson, decides to raffle off the struggling business by asking contestants to submit essays about why they should inherit it. The contest brings the community’s hidden hopes and secrets to light.
Directing the production is Melinda Williams, who noted the strong performances of the leading cast. “These three ladies not only have amazing voices, they also have fantastic chemistry on stage,” Williams said.
The lead roles are played by Kendal LeQuieu of Cabot as Percy Talbot, Kaylee Leake of Wynne as Hannah Ferguson, and Chloe Arwood of Paragould as Shelby Thorpe, a local woman who assists at the grill. Rounding out the cast are Pryce Arwood of Marion as Caleb Thorpe, Shelby’s husband; TJ Bedgood of Phoenix, Arizona, as Sheriff Joe Sutter; Emma Strain of West Fork as Effy Krayneck, the town gossip; and Isaiah Doty of Pocahontas and Riley Sipes of Dyersburg, Tennessee, as town visitors.
“I fell in love with the story that centers on the theme of second chances and relationships, but also the folk-style music,” Williams said. “I’ve even teared up during rehearsals. I may be a basket case by opening night.”
Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, and Friday, April 24, with a matinee at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 25. General admission tickets are available for $8, while tickets for students and senior citizens are priced at $5. Advance purchases can be made online.
*The Spitfire Grill* will provide students, faculty, and the broader community with a story that celebrates resilience and connects through its rich, folk-inspired music.