THE JAMES DOWNING THEATRE

THE RAINMAKER Reviewed

Rainmaker Shines
Reviewed by Elise Morrow-Schap
Sunday May 1, 2011

N. Richard Nash's play The Rainmaker is a story of impossible odds and impossible hope. The play centers around 1930s rancher H.C. Curry and his family as they struggle to keep their cattle alive during a severe drought. H.C. also despairs over finding a beau for his daughter, Lizzie. Then the fast-talking Bill Starbuck arrives in town, offering to make it rain for $100. Even if the beleaguered residents don't trust him, can they pass up any chance for a miracle?

The James Downing Theatre's production of The Rainmaker  beautifully captures the harsh realities of life and the encouragement of dreams. With a strong cast and solid direction, the production is heartwarming and moving. Floyd A. May's naturalistic direction allows each character and moment to flow with ease. While the technical aspects still require some tweaking, when executed properly they enhance the scenes. The lighting seems to reflect both the turmoil and hope felt by various characters, adding a subtle, yet important aspect to the stage simply through the dimly lit moments contrasting the bright moments. The set, built in various levels, creates separate areas in the use of one space, adding to the changing moods of the play.

The productions strengths are character development and relationships. Each character is established strongly as an individual as well as a personality within the group. As eldest borther Noah, Michael Mejia brings with him the harshness and cynicism necessary for his overly-controlling character. This balances nicely with Michael Rashid's portrayal of Bill Starbuck, the enthusiastic "big-talker" who is full of wild hopes and dreams. Rashid finds a nice dynamic with Starbuck in which he commands attention and excites, but is never over-bearing. While each actor brings unique strength to the stage, the shining star is Micah Fortenberry in the role of the younger Curry son, Jim. Fortenberry brings life to the stage with this happy-go-lucky character. Whether he is the center of the scene or off to the side, Fortenberry's energy remains constant. His eyes light with excitement and he captures Jim's innocence. The most impressive part of Fortenberry's characterization is his ability to appropriately shift his emotion according to each character interaction. The most powerful moments of the piece occur when the happy-go-lucky Jim, broken down by his older-brother Noah, is forced to face his own approaching manhood.

http://www.examiner.com/theater-review-in-chicago/rainmaker-shines-review

The James Downing Theatre Presents: THE RAINMAKER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 21, 2011

 Press Contact: Anne Lunde jamesdowningtheatre@gmail.com / (773) 631-1104

The James Downing Theatre on Chicago's Northwest Side presents, the heartwarming romance, The Rainmaker, by N. Richard Nash. The show runs Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 1:30pm, April 30th thru May 15th, 2011. The house opens one half hour before showtime.

All performances are held at The John Waldron Arts Center housed at Edison Park United Methodist Church, 6740 North Oliphant Avenue, Chicago, IL 60631. Free parking is available in a lot located behind the church.

H.C. Curry’s farm is starved for water and his only daughter, Lizzie, is starved for love. Then, charming and handsome Bill Starbuck rolls into town... promising to make it rain! It's a dubious claim and Lizzie is not easily swayed, but Starbuck is an infectious dreamer. Can he spin his magic, win over this dream-challenged family and inspire hope, even when there is nary a cloud in the sky? Come see this classic romance set in America's heartland and you may witness a true miracle!

Nash, a one-time professional boxer who later taught at Princeton and Yale, has written for theater, television and film, and produced works of fiction and poetry. The Rainmaker, his most widely known work, has been translated into nearly 40 languages, including one African tongue which has no written form. The play's original run was in 1954 with Geraldine Page and Darren McGavin. It was made into a movie in 1956 with Katherine Hepburn and Burt Lancaster, and later adapted as the musical 110 in the Shade.

Five years after The Rainmaker had become an international hit, Nash wrote, "I tried to tell a simple story about droughts that happen to people, and about faith. I tried to say that belief in a forked stick
is sweet in an eight-year-old but a grownup has to find his magic in the rites of daily living. I tried to protest that the dreamers who are fugitive from the world have too long pretended that they alone know what is beautiful; that there’s beauty for those who stick around and have a good look at things. That there is beauty in reality, beauty in the balances of nature, no matter how brutal the imbalances; beauty in the togetherness of people which, sadly, must sometimes be measured by loneliness; beauty in seeing the fact and naming it the fact."

Directed by Floyd A. May, the play features Chicago actors Michael Rashid as Starbuck, Liz Hoffman as Lizzie and Shannon Parr as the Sheriff's deputy, File. David Kravitz, of River Forest, plays H.C. Curry. The Curry brothers are played by Chicago actors Michael Mejia (Noah) and Micah Fortenberry (Jim). Wally Cwik, of Park Ridge, rounds out this talented cast as Sheriff Thomas.

Lighting and sound design is by Adam Williams. The set was co-designed by Floyd A. May and Joshua Dlouhy. Costumes and props are designed by Floyd A. May. Brian Jakosz is the Assistant Director and Mary Hodur is Stage Manager. The show is produced by Joshua Dlouhy.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for senior citizens and students. A Group Rate of $13 per ticket is available for pre-reserved groups of 10 or more.

A Theatre Industy Rate of $5 per person is available on Fridays to those who bring their Theatre Industry Resume (and Headshot, if an actor or actress) with them to the performance and hand it to the box office when purchasing tickets with cash or check.

Seating is limited, so reservations are strongly suggested.

Tickets can be purchased online with a credit card at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/171801 or reserved by phoning (224) 725-3696 or e-mailing jamesdowningtheatre@gmail.com. In your voice mail or e-mail message, please provide: your first and last name; the day and date of the performance you'd like to attend; the number of tickets you’d like reserved (specify how many adult and how many senior or student tickets); your complete phone number and/or your e-mail address. Only cash or checks are accepted at the Box Office.

The Rainmaker is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

The James Downing Theatre is a sponsored program of the Edison Park United Methodist Church.

Auditions for THE RAINMAKER

The James Downing Theatre announces open auditions for N. Richard Nash's classic romance set in America's heartland, The Rainmaker, which will run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, April 30th thru May 15th, 2011.

Open Auditions will be held 7pm-10pm on Monday, February 28th, and Tuesday, March 1st, 2011. Call-Backs will be held on Thursday, March 3rd, 7pm-10pm.

Auditions & Performances held at the John Waldron Arts Center, housed at Edison Park United Methodist Church, 6740 N Oliphant Ave, Chicago, IL 60631.

Open call, No appointment is necessary. Auditions will be cold readings from the script. Bring headshot and resume.

There are roles for 6 men and 1 woman:
   1 young man (stage age 17)
   3 men (stage age 30-35)
   2 men (stage age 50s)
   1 woman (stage age late 20s)

There is no pay.

If you have questions, please e-mail jamesdowningtheatre@gmail.com or contact Director, Floyd A. May, at 773-929-7512.