For the City Times

STEVENS POINT – A heart-warming musical, set in a small Wisconsin town, will be staged next month by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP)’s Department of Theatre and Dance.

“The Spitfire Grill” will be performed at Oct. 11-12 and 16-19, at 7:30 p.m., in the Studio Theatre in the Noel Fine Arts Center, 1800 Portage St., Stevens Point. Matinee shows will be performed Oct. 12, 13, & 19 at 2 p.m.

This musical uses the same characters as the 1996 film but makes some changes to the plot, in addition to a folk, bluegrass and pop soundtrack that includes a polka band.

“This is an emotional, touching show that deals realistically with tough issues such as abuse, post-traumatic stress and marriage difficulties,” said Mark Hanson, an associate professor of musical theatre and the show’s director. “This stranger comes to town and transforms it, and helps people see hope and change through small gestures.”

Hanson said the play will connect with audience members in several ways. Set in the Midwest, it has familiar characters. It is also being staged in the smaller Studio Theatre with only seven cast members, giving the audience a more intimate setting and making it easy for them to build likeability and empathy with each role.

Tickets are available at the UW-Stevens Point Information and Tickets Office in the Dreyfus University Center concourse, by calling 715-346-4100 or at http://tickets.uwsp.edu.

The First Nighters package, for Oct. 11, includes dinner before the performance. Visit www.uwsp.edu/theatre-dance/Pages/First-Nighters.aspx.