Dreamy drought-defying con man sees rare beauty in feisty plain-Jane Cinderella in The Rainmaker, one of my favorite stories of all time.
Why a favorite? Because the characters are all so unexpected and nothing is as it first seems. And it’s a real love story involving good people who deserve good things.
Phyllis Gitlin expertly directs a phenomenal cast in one of the best Mainstage productions in recent memory.
In a small midwestern town, spinsterhood-threatened Lizzie Curry (Loren McJannett-Taylor) maintains a drab domestic existence caring for her father and two brothers, who all adore her. Overprotective and controlling brother Noah (Sean Gray), too pragmatic for anyone’s good, seeks to destroy any hope Lizzie foolishly harbors of landing a husband. His motto clearly goes: You’ve got to be cruel to be kind. Ouch.
Younger brother Jim (Paul Breazeale) reminds me of a cat I once had— dumb as a lamppost, but possessing the most uncanny instincts. The smarter Noah could learn a thing or two from younger brother Jim.
Passing through town selling a cloudburst, con artist Starbuck (Kevin Deegan) changes everything for the Curry clan, even though they see right through his ridiculous claims. His Music Man view of the world unwittingly shows us that sometimes hope is more important than results. For realists like Lizzie and Noah, this is a life-altering notion to be sure.
Sheriff’s deputy File (Cort Huckabone), a decent man with a wounded heart, completes a magnificent love triangle, that is, if only he will take another chance on love.
The talented and energetic cast achieves the most wonderful chemistry, which is literally everything in this understated show portraying common people who care about the simplest things. Playwright N. Richard Nash provides layer upon layer to work with, and this production capitalizes on almost every opportunity.
McJannett-Taylor’s nuanced drawl projects just enough sophistication to make her Lizzie special. Playhouse regular Mitchell Nunn makes pop H.C. Curry a pillar of strength, parental restraint, kindness and sanity. Nunn’s performance is spectacular.
Noah and Jim establish a high intensity yet conflicted brotherly love as delivered by Gray and Breazeale.
Deegan’s Starbuck is wise and charismatic yet subtly vulnerable. Huckabone portrays a strong and attractive File who is at once distant and willing. His internal struggle is palpable.
The production lacks only the slightest detail. I might have made a bigger issue of the unrelenting heat. And Starbuck should have been more emotionally torn on his exit.
Greg Fritsche’s well detailed set is divine, as are Donna Fritsche’s fine costumes.
The Rainmaker continues on the Long Beach Playhouse Mainstage through February 7. General admission tickets are $22; $20 for seniors. Student tickets are $12 with valid student ID. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, with Sunday matinees on January 11, 18, 25 and February 1 at 2pm. Call (562) 494-1014 for reservations and information. Tickets are also available online at www.lbph.com.
