GLOUCESTER STAGE NEW PLAY READING SERIES KICKS OFF WITH THE RAINMAKER
Iconic Play with Local Connection
The Rainmaker by N. Richard Nash
Monday, July 29, 8 PM
This play reading celebrates the 100th anniversary of distinguished American writer N. Richard Nash’s birth. The iconic play, The Rainmaker was written about the drought leading into the dust bowl. The evening includes a casual reception and conversation with Gloucester resident Amanda Nash, daughter of the playwright, following the reading.
The Rainmaker cast includes many Gloucester Stage favorites:
The reading is directed by Barlow Adamson who shared the GSC stage with Richard Snee and Steven Barkhimer in the Alan Ayckbourn’s Norman Conquests Trilogy from 2010 through 2012. Johnny Lee Davenport starred in 2012’s Master Harold… and the Boys and returns later in the GSC’s 2013 season to star in Driving Miss Daisy with Lindsay Crouse. The Rainmaker takes place during the time of a paralyzing drought in the West. A plain girl whose father and two brothers are worried as much about her potential future as an old maid as they are about the drought and their dying cattle. The brothers try every possible scheme to marry her off, but without success and there any sign of relief from the dry heat. Suddenly from out of nowhere appears a picaresque, sweet-talking man with quite the sales pitch. Claiming to be a “rainmaker,” the man promises to bring rain, for $100. It’s a silly idea, but the rainmaker is so refreshing and persistent that the family finally consents, banging on big brass drums to rattle the sky. Meanwhile the rainmaker also turns his magic on the girl, and persuades her that she has a very real beauty of her own. She believes it, just as her father believes the fellow can actually bring rain. Rain does come, and so does love.
All readings are at 8 PM.
Suggested Donation for Each Reading is $20. Seating is general admission.
Readings held at Gloucester Stage Company, 267 East Main Street, Gloucester, MA
For reservations and further information,
contact Gloucester Stage Box Office at 978-281-4433
or visit www.gloucesterstage.org
Good Morning Gloucester 