Gloucester Stage New Play Reading Series Kicks Off with THE RAINMAKER Today

Gloucester Stage New Play Reading Series kicks of with THE RAINMAKER. 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 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.

The reading will take place tonight, July 29 at 8 p.m. Suggested Donation for this and all readings is $20. Seating is general admission. Readings for the series will be 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.

The other plays in the 2013 New Play Reading Series are:

HONOR THY MOTHER by Kyle Bradstreet
Monday, September 9, 8 p.m.
In Martin-McDonagh dark comedy fashion, two brothers choose to avenge their mother's death by taking
the local reverend hostage.

BACH/SCHWEITZER by Robert Boulrice
Monday, September 16, 8 p.m.
This new work in development crosses centuries to connect two of the greatest minds the world has ever known and introduces us to two of the strongest persons of which we know little: their wives, Anna Magdelina Bach and Helene Schweitzer.

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