BWW Reviews: BroadHollow's THE RAINMAKER

The Rainmaker, BroadHollow Theatre Company's current offering, seems to be produced quite often; and that's ok. It's nice to break away from the glitz and fluffiness and see a raw, truly emotional play that makes you feel. The melodrama, by N. Richard Nash, is now running at BroaHollow's BayWay Theatre in East Islip, Long Island, through May 31st continuing at their Elmont location beginning July 11th.

The super talented cast is headed up by director Marian Waller. Under Ms. Waller's direction, you will see effortless movement and great chemistry among the cast. The story takes place during a sweltering summer day in the western United States during a crippling drought. It follows a family, The Curry's, as they feverishly try to find a husband for Lizzie who is the only daughter and just an ordinary, simple country girl.

H.C. Curry, wonderfully portrayed by Warren Schaeffer, is the loving, elderly father who is always looking out for his three kids. Lizzie, portrayed by Georgia Berny, keeps up the house while her brothers, Noah (Scott Earle) and Jim (Charles Jacker), work on the farm. It is interesting to see how incredibly different each of the kids are... Lizzie is just trying to make sure everyone is happy and doing her best while Noah, the eldest, is pretty mean and arrogant, but, in the end, loves his siblings. And Jim, the youngest, is naïve and a tad immature mimicking Noah at times.

Also part of the cast is Tony Davino as the Sherriff and Matt Stashin as his deputy File. Mr. Davino and Mr. Stashin are fine in their respective roles as is Even Donnellan who portrays con-man Starbuck. Starbuck is an intriguing character. We meet him as conceitedly walks in to the Curry's house - without knocking- and smooth talks the family into giving him $100 - a huge sum in this time - in a deal that he could produce rain to alleviate the drought. So, immediately, you do not like this man for taking advantage of a sweet family. Then, he helps Lizzie overcome her insecurities.

Everyone in the stellar cast is truly top notch.

Of course, no BroadHollow show would be complete without a Bob Butterley set. The bulk of the stage is donned as the Curry's kitchen where the majority of the production takes place. The right side of the stage is a portion of the Curry's barn/shed and the left side of the stage is the police station where the Sherriff and File work. Dark wood fills the stage with large windows and is cleverly decorated. This is enhanced beautifully by Hemraj Budhram's lighting and Joseph Kassner's wonderful costumes added to the ambiance.

And so, The Rainmaker is indeed another hit for The BroadHollow Theatre Company. A wonderful cast and a story that will tug at your heart make for a fulfilling night of theatre.

The Rainmaker is presented by The BroadHollow Theatre Company at the BayWay Theatre through May 31st. By N. Richard Nash, Directed by Marian Waller, Technical Direction by Bob Butterley, Stage Management by Anne Longobardo, Lighting Design by Hemraj Budhram, Costume Design by Joseph Kassner. For more information and to purchase tickets, please call (631) 581-2700 or visit www.broadhollow.org.