Scranton Players to Tell Story of Renewal in Spring Musical

By Marcus Smith '27, Student Correspondent

Stepping foot into the Royal Theater in the McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts, the bustle of urban downtown Scranton gives way to the small backwoods town of Gilead, Wisconsin, for the spring musical “The Spitfire Grill.” 

The musical, written by James Valcq and Fred Alley, tells the story of a young parolee named Percy who helps bring new life to the dying town when she takes a job at the titular Spitfire Grill diner. 

The Players will perform "The Spitfire Grill" on Friday, Feb. 27; Saturday, Feb. 28; Sunday, March 1; Friday, March 6; Saturday, March 7; and Sunday, March 8. The Friday and Saturday shows are at 8 p.m. and the Sunday shows are at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for general admission or $7 for students and faculty/staff and can be bought online or at the door.

Michael O’Steen, MFA, associate professor and the musical’s director, said the themes of found family and acceptance are more important in 2026 than ever.

“We see several broken families in the Spitfire Grill and they find a new family to fit into,” O’Steen said. “It’s also about accepting those who are different, people who are different from us, who might have iffy backgrounds that we can write off as the Other.”

O’Steen described The Spitfire Grill as “an intimate, lovely musical” that he especially enjoyed because it is an ensemble piece.

“Every actor in the show plays a significant character, carries significant vocals and significant scenes and themes,” he explained. “It’s a challenge for these young actors who want to improve as actors, designers or directors or theater technicians. The Players use everything as a learning tool and I think it's great.”

Devon Donnelly '29, an advertising and public relations major from Chester, New Jersey, plays Percy Talbott in her debut with the University of Scranton Players, but already has become comfortable with the company.

“I'm very fortunate to have friends in the cast that are my age that I talk to, so it's easing me into this new experience…I feel like I found my groove,” she said.

Donnelly explained how important her character’s story of recovery and healing is for people to witness.

“It’s a tale of power and perseverance. She took a terrible hand she was dealt in life, and she was able to turn that around and make herself a new life with new friends and a whole entire new family,” she said. “It's important for people in this day and age to really look back and reflect that no matter what happened to you, no matter what you've gone through, you can always make light of any situation and always try to find something new for yourself.”

She also said that working in the company’s professional environment has been unlike any experience she has had before in the theater.

“It’s more in-depth and the type of musical we are doing is much more heavy,” she said. “I got a chance to take on something big and do something that almost feels too challenging, but I feel like I'll be able to do it. I'm just excited.”

The company features Scranton students Donnelly of Chester, New Jersey; Lauren DeSantis of Long Island, New York; Gabriella Palmer of Phoenixville; Cassidy Pfeiffer of Old Forge; Alexander Smulowitz of Shavertown; Marcus Smith of Schuylkill Haven and James Stensland of Huntington, New York.

For more information, contact the University Players box office at 570-941-4318 or visit the Players on Instagram @scranton_players.

The University of Scranton Players bring exceptional theatre to Northeastern Pennsylvania every season. The Players’ productions feature University of Scranton students in a mix of classical and contemporary works under the direction and mentorship of award-winning faculty and guest artists.