More Theater Monday - The Spitfire Grill and The Queens Theatre Forward Festival

We were given complimentary tickets to The Spitfire Grill for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: The Spitfire Grill and The Queens Theatre Forward Festival

Where: Queens Theatre

             14 United Nations Avenue South

              Corona, NY

Who:  The Spitfire Grill Recommended for Ages 14 and Up Due to Subject Matter

When: The Spitfire Grill

            took place from Saturday, May 21 to  Sunday, May 22, 2022

            Theatre Forward Festival took place 

            from Friday, May 13 - Sunday, May 22, 2022

The Spitfire Grill is a show about second chances.  A girl named Percy, fresh out of prison comes to a small town where the natives are very distrustful of her but gradually she wins them over. This heartwarming show is based on the 1996 movie of the same name. Percy is lucky to be given a second chance but sometimes people don't even get a first chance. It's nice that theater is becoming more diverse but one group that often doesn't get as much of a chance to perform as they should are Deaf/Disabled Artists. That's why it is so appropriate that this production was put on as part of Queen's Theatre's Theatre Forward Festival. This festival focuses on the representation of Deaf/ Disabled artists in dance, theatre music, and more. 

The Spitfire Grill was performed by the Phamaly Theatre Company based out of Denver, Colorado, a traveling theater troop that has provided a creative home for disabled theater artists since 1989. The cast included both mentally and physically challenged actors.  The only difference between this show and any other show you might have seen was that in this show there were times when a visually challenged actor may have needed to be helped on, off, or around the stage a little but not in a way that was intrusive to the performance. The caliber of the performances was incredible, however. The challenges these actors face did not in any way interfere with their ability to put on a terrific show, and it's was nice to see these actors given the opportunity to shine. 

Not only did the festival cater to Deaf/Disabled actors and give them a chance to perform, it is also was fully open to Deaf/Disabled audience members as well. Festival events included audio descriptions, open captioning, ASL interpretation and more. Festivals like this aren't necessarily the answer. They still exist in their own space apart from mainstream theatre and performing arts, but they are a step in the right direction.

For more information about Queens Theatre's other upcoming events, visit queenstheatre.org/events. Fore more information about the Phamaly Theatre Company, visit phamaly.org/

Tune in tomorrow for Tips for Tuesday.