Cappie review of “The Rainmaker” by Rebecca Scarborough, Hayfield Secondary School, Alexandria, VA

“The name we choose for ourselves is much more important than the name we're given.” These words, spoken by Bill Starbuck in N. Richard Nash’s The Rainmaker, capture the play’s dramatic exploration of relying on dreams and accepting reality.

This play tells the story of a poor family in the West during a drought in the 1930s, and their encounter with a “rainmaker” who promises he can end the drought. As the play opens, we meet two brothers, Noah and Jim Curry, and their father, H.C. We later meet the older sister, Lizzie, who is a wild spirit who desperately wants the right man to settle down with, but cannot seem to find him. Throughout the play, Lizzie goes back and forth between believing in herself and her own personal beauty, and facing “reality” - which is that she’ll never find the “perfect” man, or possibly even never marry. The theme of the play is captured in a scene between Starbuck (the rainmaker) and Lizzie, in which Starbuck says life is dreams (not reality), while Lizzie suggests that reality lies between what we see and know and what we dream of and want.

The play, while full of beautiful lines and ideas, leaves the audience without a true sense of which characters were wise, or “good” - and while perhaps that was the playwright’s intention, it may be a little frustrating not to be able to decide which characters to side with.

The acting, however, is superb. As H.C. Curry, William Parry plays a very warm, openhearted father trying to keep his family in line. All members of the Curry family (played by William Parry, Graham Winton, Ben Fox, and Johanna Day) work together as a cohesive unit, making their family believable. Michael Laurence also captures the free-roaming and wild spirit of Bill Starbuck, the man who promises rain. From the very first scene he is in, Laurence has amazing energy and exuberance. While not flawless, the actors have good concentration and focus.

The technical aspect of this show is also incredible. The blocking allows all four sides of the audience to see and enjoy the play. An intricate network of machines moved platforms in the middle of the stage. A notable set piece was the dining room table that became the desk in the sheriff's office. Lighting (designed by James Ingalls) is breathtaking - the show opens with a man on a chair playing the guitar, as a spot shines down and casts a long shadow over the stage.

A very interesting and thought-provoking play, performed by enthusiastic and talented actors along with great technicians, The Rainmaker is a very well-done show.