The Rainmaker
N. Richard Nash
The Brewster Theater Company’s
fall production is The
Rainmaker by N. Richard Nash. Performances are scheduled for
October 15, 16, 22, and 23 at 8 pm at The Melrose School, 120
Federal Hill Road, Brewster, NY.
Producer/director Debbie Levin
describes The Rainmaker,
written in the 1950s, as
timeless. While set
in the Depression-era American West, “the story’s theme of
self-realization through faith in your
dreams resonates to all, regardless of time or place” says
Levin. “But, as this play
illustrates so powerfully, ultimately there needs to be a balance
between facing up to reality and reaching
for your dreams.”
Hilary Friedman (Carmel) plays Lizzie Curry a ‘plain’ young woman on
the verge of spinsterhood, and Brian Field (Brewster) is Starbuck a
charismatic newcomer who promises, for a price, to bring rain to the
drought-ridden town.
Starbuck’s charm soon has its way with Lizzie who, despite her
pragmatism, begins to be won over by this alluring stranger and his
talk of making dreams reality.
Gary
Dodge (Hopewell Junction), Alex Vournazos (Danbury), and Jeffrey
Marano (Brewster) portray Lizzie’s loving and protective father and
brothers who are often at odds over what they believe is best for
her. The cast also includes Greg Chadwick (Pawling) as the town
Sheriff and Shawn Brown (Danbury) as Sheriff Deputy File – who
Lizzie harbors a secret yen for.
What makes this show
special, according to Levin, is that each and every character is
rich and engaging and she is “thrilled to be working with such a
talented group of actors who are bringing them to life on the
stage”.
Tickets are $15/adults and $13/students and seniors. Reservations are strongly suggested. To reserve tickets, go to the website at www.brewstertheater.org or call 845-598-1621.
"The Rainmaker"
Cast Announcement
The
Brewster Theater Company is proud to announce the cast of their fall
2010 production of The
Rainmaker by N. Richard Nash.
Referring to the cast of 6 men and 1 woman as ‘remarkable’, director
Debbie Levin is looking forward to the rehearsal process and working
with the group to develop the nuances of each of their characters.
Cast Photo
Cast Photo: (credit Debbie Levin)
Back Row L-R: Greg
Chadwick, Gary Dodge, Shawn Brown, Brian Field, Alex Vournazos
Front Row (seated) L-R: Hilary Friedman, Jeffrey Marano
The
performers, some familiar and some new to the BTC stage, include
Gary Dodge (Hopewell Junction), Alex Vournazos (Danbury), Jeffrey
Marano (Brewster), Brian Field (Brewster), Shawn Brown (Danbury),
Greg Chadwick (Pawling), and Hilary Friedman (Carmel).
The show is stage managed by Pat Sebastian (Mahopac).
Performances are scheduled for October 15, 16, 22, and 23 at 8 pm at
The Melrose School, 120 Federal Hill Road, Brewster, NY.
Tickets are $15/adults and $13/students and seniors.
The show is made possible in part
with public funds from the NYS Council on the Arts Decentralization
Program administered in Putnam County by the Putnam Arts Council.
The Rainmaker is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
For
more information about this show or to reserve tickets, call
845-598-1621.
The Brewster
Theater Company, Inc
Announces
auditions for its Fall 2010 Production of
By N. Richard
Nash
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 tongue and the most
grandiose notions a man could imagine. He claims to be a rainmaker.
And he promises to bring rain, for $100. It's a silly idea, but the
rainmaker is so refreshing and ingratiating that the family finally
consent. Forthwith they begin banging on big brass drums to rattle
the sky; while the rainmaker turns his magic on the girl, and
persuades her that she has a very real beauty of her own. And she
believes it, just as her father believes the fellow can actually
bring rain. And rain does come, and so does love.
Audition Details
Dates/Times:
August 9,
10, 12 ~ 7 - 9 pm
Location:
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church,
26 Prospect St. Brewster, NY
Cast
1
Woman: Age 25-35
6 Men:
Age 16 to 65
Character Descriptions
(Please note that ages specified are a general guide to what the character would play to….NOT necessarily the age of the actor.)
Male, age 50’s to 60’s
H.C. is a widower who has raised his 3 children essentially alone while successfully managing his ranch. He is a gentle, easy-going, caring and observant man who loves his children deeply. His quiet, home-spun wisdom commands respect from those around him, and obedience and love from his children.
Noah Curry
Male, age late 20’s to mid 30’s
Noah is the eldest child and takes that responsibility – and himself - very seriously. He has assumed management of the ranch, and he believes strongly that he knows what is right for not only the ranch, but his family as well. Conservative in his views, he is volatile when others disagree with his opinion and advice. Fully grounded in ‘reality’, Noah has no capacity to dream.
Jim Curry
Male, age late teens to very early 20’s
Jim is the youngest child. A strapping young ‘buck’ who, while an accomplished ranch hand, is extremely naïve….and not the brightest bulb in the pack. There is nothing subtle or restrained about Jimmy…he’s all out there, speaking whatever comes into his head. He is, however, caring, kind and full of dreams in his own limited way. He is anxious for his brother’s approval, and puzzled when he can’t live up to Noah’s expectations. His bumbling ways can’t discuss his awkward efforts to find his sister a husband….ANY husband.
Lizzie Curry
Female, age late 20’s to mid 30’s
Highly intelligent, eminently practical…and plain. Lizzie has reached the frightening threshold of spinsterhood. Having grown up in a household of men, taking on the burden of housekeeping on her mother’s death, Lizzie knows nothing of feminine wiles. Fiercely proud, Lizzie can’t help but speak out plainly and truthfully…which does not endear her to the fragile egos of the eligible men she meets. She is at once almost resigned to and terribly frightened of the prospect of life as old maiden Aunt Lizzie. Her inner beauty has not found a way to shine through….before now.
File
Male, age mid 30’s to early 40’s
File, the deputy in the town, has a secret…not very well kept. He would like everyone to believe that he is a widower, deeply grieved by the loss of his wife. In reality, what his pride won’t allow him to admit, his wife left him…and for a school teacher! He is intelligent, capable, reserved….and totally closed off from everyone’s efforts to reach him.
Sheriff Thomas
Male, age 40’ to 50’s
Being Sheriff is a small mid-Western town is not a big challenge, allowing Sheriff Thomas a pretty relaxed lifestyle. He is happy, and wants everyone to be as happy as he is. But….he sees deeper into things than his open, easy-going demeanor would let on.
Starbuck
Male, age late 20’s to 30’s
A charming confidence trickster, Starbuck is a loner in search of a dream. He is a charlatan….no doubt about it, but what differentiates Starbuck from your average swindler is that he almost believes in his own power to actually do what he promises…or desperately wants to. He exudes self-confidence in his larger than life promises and tales, but beneath is an undercurrent of self-doubt…the experience of being the underdog, the misunderstood, the under valued. He is the champion of dreams in pursuit of self-realization.
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