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Regional Reviews: Phoenix The Rainmaker Also see Gil's reviews of The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds and The Barricade Boys
Set during a scorching drought in the Midwest in the 1930s, The Rainmaker follows the Curry family, including daughter Lizzie, a practical and intelligent woman who fears she will never find love due to her plain features. Her father and brothers, concerned about her future, and after a recent trip to visit relatives fails to find her a match, attempt to set her up with File, the town's withdrawn sheriff. Enter Starbuck, a charismatic conman who claims he can bring rain for $100. His arrival stirs up more than just hope for water–he brings a sense of possibility to the family and challenges their beliefs by encouraging them to dream beyond their limitation. His presence also forces Lizzie to confront her own desires and self-doubt, leading to a transformative journey for her and those around her. Nash's characters are beautifully written, capturing the essence of small-town life and the marital expectations placed on women at the time. While the play's depiction of Lizzie's father and brothers scheming to marry her off may feel outdated and possibly cringeworthy to some modern audiences, the story ultimately focuses on her own realization of self-worth rather than external validation by a man. The play is fast paced with very few extraneous moments and the ending is very satisfying. As Lizzie, Jori Beth delivers an authentic performance that captures Lizzie's sharp intellect and her deep vulnerability. Beth does a good job in showing us that Lizzie is a strong and intelligent woman, but we also fully understand that she struggles with feeling that her strong nature, no-nonsense approach to life, and less than pretty features also make her believe that she is also unworthy of love. Rob Stuart exudes charm and confidence as Starbuck, making it easy to see why the Curry family–and Lizzie–are captivated by him. Stuart's larger than life and captivating performance works well since Starbuck is an enchanting dreamer, offering the Curry family the chance to believe in miracles, even if only for a moment, but we also get a glimpse into how Starbuck himself has been chasing his own dreams and is somewhat unfulfilled himself. Lizzie's father, played with warmth and humor by Mark Groberski, balances his old-fashioned views with genuine love for his daughter. Noah, the overbearing eldest brother, is portrayed by Brian Kwiecinski (who alternates in the part with Brian Stuart) with a stern but well-intentioned presence, while Nick Philips as Jimmy, the younger brother, provides comic relief with his youthful enthusiasm, excitable outbursts, and endearing romantic pursuits. File, the reluctant love interest, is played by Ryan MacNamara with a quiet intensity that makes his internal struggle and relationships with the people in the town compelling, and Will B. Friday brings a down to earth and folksy approach to the Sheriff, who serves as a grounding force, offering a more practical perspective on the town's events. While the acting and Diedra Celeste Miranda's direction are solid, some performances could benefit from more variation in tone to fully explore the emotional highs and lows of the story and have the characters, at a few times in the production, appear more than one dimensional. The staging is wonderfully immersive, making the audience feel like a fly on the wall inside the Curry home. Period-appropriate scenic details in Cheryl Shaar and Miranda's set, Heather Riddle's character appropriate costumes, and Robert Murdock's beautiful lighting, effectively establish the time and place, adding authenticity to the production. Also, Julia Moore Vuyk's backdrop of an orange-hued farm landscape is gorgeous. Don Bluth Front Row Theatre's production of The Rainmaker is a heartfelt and engaging rendition of Nash's classic play. With its well-crafted characters, strong performances, and timeless themes, it reminds us of the power of belief, whether in hoped-for rain in the middle of a drought, love when you think you'll never find it, or simply believing in yourself. The Rainmaker runs through April 26, 2025, at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre, 8989 E. Vía Linda #118, Scottsdale AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.donbluthfrontrowtheatre.com or call 480-314-0841. Directed by Diedra Celeste Miranda Cast: (in order of appearance) |
