Cappie Review of "The Rainmaker" by Helen Sitar, Winston Churchill High School, Potomac, MD

Lizzie only gets older, her family more anxious to marry her off, and land around them dustier and dustier. Caught in the middle of a horrible drought, the Curry family's patience is running dry as their tempers are running wild. In Arena Stage's production of The Rainmaker, the themes of dream versus reality and faith versus skepticism flow strongly around the actors who command N. Richard Nash's script with raw passion and brilliant honesty.

Lisa Peterson directs the drama, which runs through April 9. Originally produced on Broadway over fifty years ago, the story concerns the confusion the Curry family endures one hot summer night in the middle of the drought-stricken west of the 1930s. After an embarrassing attempt to get the deputy sheriff interested in Lizzie, a stranger arrives with his zealous promises to produce rain, the one thing they all want more than a husband for Lizzie. As this mysterious "rainmaker" does his magic, a transformation comes over all and inner churnings are unearthed. An exciting story of shifting dreams, doubts, and devotions, the poignant though sometimes cliche script is handled maturely and the weaknesses in lines are overcome by strong acting.

A strong cast perfect for their roles performs with deep conviction. Johanna Day fits Lizzie's skin seamlessly, her tornado of physical tension and emotional frailness very realistic and endearing. Through the course of the drama, her tough shell unfurls and the giggling, giddy, girlish inner side of Lizzie prevails. As H.C. Curry, her father, William Parry achieves the subtleties in disposition of an old man weathered by the hardships of time. As Noah, Graham Winton's strong stance and commanding voice define the responsible and headstrong nature of an eldest son. As Jim, Ben Fox employs goofy facial expressions and excited gestures to reveal his character's immaturity and emotional struggles. Together, the actors in the Curry family build genuine tension and compassion for each other, creating a bona fide connection.

Michael Laurence enchants all with his vigorous interpretation of Bill Starbuck. He trots around the arena stage, kneeling and shaking his rain stick, jumping on chairs, running to rouse up excitement. A complete foil, File, played by Frank Wood, holds his ground with serious expressions but lets the deputy's insecurities show with his quivering voice. And Delaney Williams brings laughs with Sheriff Thomas' discussion of a toe-licking puppy.

The technical aspects of the show are equally as impressive, with a ten-foot-long dinner table rising out of the floor on an elevator. Lifting up the center leaves of the table, the actors quickly transform the table into a sheriff's desk littered with papers. And as scenes shifted, actors sometimes descended on this elevator, leaving behind hovering images of continuing action. The costumes are convincingly 1930s-esque, and even appear to be lightly dusted from the dry land.