The Rainmaker

by N. Richard Nash

Comedy / Casting: 6m, 1f / Scenery: Composite Int. At the time of a paralyzing drought in the West we discover a girl whose father and two brothers are worried as much about her becoming an old maid as they are about their dying cattle. For the truth is, she is indeed a plain girl. The brothers try every possible scheme to marry her off, but without success. Nor is there any sign of relief from the dry heat. When suddenly from out of nowhere appears a picaresque character with a mellifluous t

Genres: Plays, Theatre, Drama, Romance, School, Fiction

102 pages, paper

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

Nathan Richard Nusbaum , known as N. Richard Nash, was an American writer and dramatist best known for writing Broadway shows, including "The Rainmaker".

Through the course of his lifetime, he wrote four plays, twelve screenplays, eight novels, two books on philosophy ("The Athenian Spirit" and "The Wounds of Sparta") and a book of poetry ("Absalom").

"The Rainmaker" was adapted into the 1956 film "The Rainmaker" starring Burt Lancaster and Katherine Hepburn. His 1975 novel "Cry Macho" was adapted to film in 2021 and starred Clint Eastwood and Dwight Yoakam.

He passed away on December 11, 2000 at the age of 87.

Reviews

[Negin · Rating 5 out of 5]

در کمال تعجب، واقعا خیلی بیشتر از حد توقعم بهم چسبید، کاراکترا واقعی، درد ها ملموس و داستان دوستانه و درگیرکننده است. شاید نه به اندازه کامو، اما به اندازه نمایشنامه های ایبسن حرف برای گفتن داشت.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very sweet tale that is both expected and vaguely unexpected. It's one of those old-fashioned plays that is complicated in character but not in style or resolution. But the best part of it is that in the end no one judges each other. The father is fantastic, and Lizzie's speech about becoming an old-maid is heartbreaking.
Well worth a read, but keep in mind that it was written in the fifties: you will appreciate it more.

[Alexandra Rivers · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a surprise and a very pleasant one. A sweet story set in the Depression-era where the endless, tormenting drought brought to mind the exact opposite--the long rains over Macondo in Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude.

The forces of nature always tormented humans but in this story it’s the humans and the closest ones to her that "torment" the main character, Lizzy.
It’s the brother who loves her that urges her to realize she is ugly and therefore unmarriageable. It’s his brutal honesty and cold pragmatism combined with his one-dimensional view of the world that make Lizzy realize she’ll die a spinster or has his young brother think himself as stupid.
And sometimes we need to move away from the productive umbrella of those who love us to see who we really are. So it’s no surprise that it takes a dreamer, a charlatan, a rainmaker to shake these images before he moves on.

My favorite character of all? Without a doubt Lizzy’s father. The man sets a fine balance between love and the realistic expectations of a single parent who above all wants his daughter’s happiness in whatever doses that can be managed. The character really warmed my heart.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious. Far more funny than I was expecting it to be. But also clever with compelling characters. I think this would be a fun piece for actors especially because of the opportunity to swing between archetypes and stereotypes and genuine, authentic humanity-types.

4.5/5

[Kym Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

alice saltzman please save me

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizzie is a heart-of-gold homebody whose dad and brothers wish as hard as she wishes for a romance that will save her from becoming an old maid. There's a shy sheriff deputy lurking as a maybe, and enter the titular con artist who is out to hustle $100 to alleviate the ranch-family's drought misery.

A play as an art form is meant to be enjoyed with a live performance in the context of a theater with appropriate set décor and costumes. That experience is expensive and ephemeral, but reading a play instead is always going to be an inferior substitute.

In this edition, the folks at Samuel French included the original cast list from the 1954 Broadway opening. The starring roles were taken by Geraldine Page and Darren McGavin. I Googled the Cort Theater for some images, and my read of The Rainmaker was buoyed by a fantasy of being at the sumptuous Cort theater with a formal and respectful New York crowd on a 1954 evening to see a young Geraldine Page and a young Darren McGavin at the top of their form.

Even without that fantasy, Nash is generous with his parenthetical directions which helps with nuance and back-stories, and enhances the reading experience. Altogether a nice package, albeit for the cheap, second-hand form of enjoying this little gem.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this play because I’m supposed to construct a Directors Notebook on it for my IB Theatre Arts class and, honestly, it’s given me so much material to work with and I love that. It’s got great characters and a pretty good plot with very complex scenes. Overall, too though, it was a very pleasing read, I enjoyed it and I wasn’t ever bored. The main reason it got marked down a star is because it didn’t have the ending I wanted, it was still good, just not what I wanted.

[Stephanie Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

This play is so thought provoking and sad and every time that I listen to is, I am moved to tears by Jayne Atkinson's performance as Lizzie Curry. She brings out the vulnerability and intelligence and romantic sides of the character with a deftness that speaks to her greatness as an actress. I know that the text is a bit dated, but there is still a powerful truth to the upheaval that Starbuck brings into all of their lives.

[Juliette II · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning story. Complex and wonderfully human characters struggle with love and yearning in their own, always authentic way. A story of finding beauty in even the darkest times. Lizzie and Starbuck’s scenes are both gut-wrenching and enchanting. Any woman who has struggled with her own beauty (all of us?) will find something to relate to and love about Lizzie.

Single set that could be done in a minimalist fashion or go all out. Calls for period costumes (1930s)

1W/6M

[Kenny Stevenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Auditioning for a role in this so I had to read it, and was really pleasantly surprised. I normally am not a huge fan of stories told at the turn of the century, but I enjoyed this one quite a bit. Wish me luck with my audition!

[Natalie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fighting it out with Mamet's Oleanna for the title of "Most Sexist Play I Have Read in My Life." Yikes.

[Hrushikesh Vasuki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short play that kept me interested from start to finish, working through familiar concepts of hope, intra-familial relationships, and exercising control!

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really fun.

[Vinita Dixit · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really endearing read. Somewhat silly, but a great comment on the humanity of plain looks.

[Christopher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this show in college and thought then it was a bit creaky.

Forty years later (and a full 70 years after it opened on Broadway)? The creaks are gone! Because it is solidly rusted in place.

[Iulia · Rating 5 out of 5]

da! surprinzator de buna!

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Show's its age.

[Lauren Kost · Rating 5 out of 5]

“But it was a nice dream, Noah- and nearly as good as rain.” This is an incredible & BEAUTIFUL play. Identity, family, femininity, beauty, strength WOW.

[Poop Fart · Rating 2 out of 5]

They were way too nice to Starbuck

[Meggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rainmaker was much funnier than I remembered, yet still moving when dealing with Lizzie's possible future. The characters feel real and human, especially Lizzie and her family. Can't wait to see this at a local theatre in January!

[Valerie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book details the family relationships of the Curry family on a drought-ridden farm in the United States. Lizzie, is unmarried and feels like a failure as a woman. Her mundane days are filled with caring for her father and brothers until Starbuck, the con man, shows up with his rain machine and turns her world inside out.

I love this play for it's simplistic portrayal of daily life, and the humor hidden in the subtext. This is one of my favorites to read, watch, and perform.

Inappropriate content:None. There is a brief on stage kiss which may feel uncomfortable for young actors to portray.

[Lisa]

I like this play, it makes me happy. Decided to read it after there was a revival of 110 in the Shade on Broadway. Though I think Lizzy's father and brothers should have been working on their own marital statuses (is that a word?) rather than worrying so much about hers. Overall, though, they were sweet.

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dad very occasionally would allow me to borrow the family Opel Kadet during high school. Such was the case when Bill suggested a bunch of us go to New Trier H.S. to see the student production of The Rainmaker in which a close friend of his was appearing.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the book then saw the movie. Katherine Hepburn and Burt Lancaster. Katherine Hepburn was Lizzie, who longed to be loved and then a stranger comes to town...

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The whiny "I'm not pretty" crap from the main character gets old, but it's not overall a bad story.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was the only thing I hadn't read at retreat library. I had seen the movie, but think the play is better.

[Jessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a sweet play. I really enjoyed reading it.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute play that definitely brings up a lot of misconceptions that people have about others.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful play, really inspired me.

[Katie Rodemich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically, plain Jane lets down her ponytail with some added magic!