March 6-April 5, 2026

The Spitfire Grill

Mountain Community Theater is proud to announce the opening of the musical drama, The Spitfire Grill, with music and book by James Valcq, lyrics and book by Fred Alley, based on the film by Lee David Zlotofs. 

Co-Directed by Greg Fritsch and Cathy D. Warner, with music director Don Atkins this production combines a beautiful score with a story of perseverance and redemption.  This is the first show in MCT’s 44th season of presenting high quality community theater to audiences in the San Lorenzo Valley and Santa Cruz area. 

The production takes place at Ben Lomond’s historic Park Hall, 9400 Mill Street. Subscriber guest ticket purchases open January 30^th, and tickets go on sale to the general public February 13^th, 2026. We welcome audience members to join us for an Opening Night Reception immediately following the performance on March 6^th. There will be a Community Night on March 7^th, where all tickets are 2 for $40, and a post-show talkback on Sunday, March 22^th, after the performance. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8:00 p.m. Sunday matinees are at 2:00 p.m.

The Spitfire Grill is a powerful musical drama set in the forests of Wisconsin. Gilead, a once prosperous mining town, is dying. Percy, a convicted murderer on parole, ends up lodging with Hannah, the longtime owner of The Spitfire Grill, a diner as rundown as the town and its inhabitants. Hannah’s bitter, volatile and indomitable spirit conceals a powerful secret. Who is she hiding a loaf of bread for every night? How will Percy survive in a place that doesn’t want her? 

So the battles begin. A friend is made. A crazy plan is hatched. It starts to work. Enemies arise. The town starts coming to life. Risks are taken. Truths are told. Lives are changing. Yes! It’s the great struggle for Love, Family and Home.

Our cast and production team include MCT veterans and newcomers: Emerson Kapture (Percy Talbott),  Kathryn Adkins (Hannah Ferguson), Luna Lau (Shelby Thorpe),Brady Aiello (Caleb Thorpe), John Wasielewski (Sheriff Joe Sutter), Mindy Pedlar (Effy Krayneck), Scott Kravitz (The Visitor). The directors Greg Fritsch andCathy D. Warner, the music director Don Atkins, are well known to audiences in the Santa Cruz area – MCT is delighted to welcome them to our theater company.