Based on the 1996 film by Lee David Zlotoff, The Spitfire Grill — brimming with folk-flavored music that captures the spirit of small-town life — "is the inspiring story of Percy Talbott, a young ex-con who moves to a small Wisconsin town to restart her life and in the process, changes the lives of everyone around her."

The Spitfire Grill premiered at the George Street Playhouse in New Jersey and then moved on to a fall 2001 run at Playwrights Horizons, Off-Broadway, from which a cast album spawned. It has since blossomed in regional theatres. Writer-lyricist Alley did not live to see the show's success; he died of a heart ailment at age 38 in early 2001.

The Spitfire Grill won the Richard Rodgers Production Award and was named one of the five best musicals of 2001 by New York magazine's theatre critic John Simon.

The Skylight's artistic director, Bill Theisen, directs. Principal conductor Richard Carsey is the music director.

The production team includes lighting designer Doug Vance, stage manager Jennifer Soderbloom, sound designer Gary Ellis, costume designer Barry Link and set designer by Peter Windingstad. The cast includes Katy Blake, Katy Blake, Leslie Fitzwater, Elizabeth Moliter, Steven Koehler, Tony Clements, Becky Spice and Michael Pocaro.

Performances play the Cabot Theatre, at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 North Broadway in Milwaukee. For more information call (414) 291-7800 or visit www.skylightopera.com.