If you love a big American breakfast, a hot cup of coffee, or an amazing musical experience, then you’ll want to see what’s cooking in the American School of The Hague theater!
Rehearsals are underway for the High School production of The Spitfire Grill, a powerful, moving musical written by James Valcq and Fred Alley. This musical tells the story of a young ex-convict, Percy Talbot, who travels to a small town in Wisconsin, looking for a new start. Percy’s arrival becomes a much-needed catalyst for rebirth and renewal across the town. The folk-music score, at times haunting, at times rollicking, is poignant and resoundingly beautiful, and this heartwarming story of healing and hope is one that sticks with the viewer long past the closing bows.
“It’s a story about acceptance and rebirth,” says Luke, a student actor. “A story that will hold a place in everyone’s heart.” Students rehearse three times a week after school, putting hours into their preparation, and enjoying laughs together as well as building a strong community with each other. Nina, another student actor, explains how working on this musical has affected her: playing a character so different from herself helps her “build empathy toward others. The beauty of change and self-growth reflects real-life experiences.”
ASH’s outstanding drama department has been producing high-quality theatrical productions for years. The school regularly sends graduates on to prestigious theater schools in the Netherlands, the UK and the US. Arts is one of the main pillars at ASH, and the productions incorporate students into every aspect of creating a show. Yes, students act, sing and dance onstage. But students also play their instruments in the live band, work backstage on the tech team, and even build sets, props and costumes during the school’s Technical Theater classes, under the guidance of a team of talented theater and musical professionals.
Felix, who performs in the show and is also a member of the Tech Theater class, loves “building the sets and seeing the show come together.” Felix also expressed that “seeing people’s passion for theater come to fruition through teamwork, on stage and behind the scenes, is really an honor.”
Many people outside of the school don’t know that the wider community is not only invited, but very welcome at the ASH theater performances. Those who have found their way there mark their calendars to return year after year. Harriet Putter, who attended for the first time last year, said she “was deeply impressed. Clever staging, wonderful instrumentalists, and the students’ acting and singing was incredible. I’m already looking forward to the next ASH musical!”
There’s one surefire way to find out what you’ve been missing — come and see what’s cooking at ASH yourself! Performances are Nov 21 and 22 at 19:00, and Nov 23 at 14:00, and will be in English. Tickets are €10 (excl. service fees) and can be purchased online via https://bit.ly/HSTheaterASH. Please follow our process on Instagram at @ashtheaterarts.
