1st Stage: The Rainmaker

 My second production at this wonderful little theatre tucked into the back side of a strip mall in Tysons, Virginia (above an auto body shop and next to a Doggy Day Care).  The show just opened and this was its third performance, so alas, they haven't published any press photos yet.  Which is a shame in that it keeps me from sharing some of the wonderful moments and beautiful set that were created in this production.

I told everyone prior to going that this American classic was unknown to me in that I'd never seen it on stage or the movie.  But about 20 minutes in and I know I am wrong.  I have definitely seen this preformed on stage before and though I think I have kept careful records of my now 45 years of theater going, this one missed the archives.  Combing through all of the possibilities, I'm thinking it was one most likely all the back in high school and probably at Gabriel Richard Catholic H.S.  A friend of mine attended and I would go to see her in shows or just with a group of friends to see a show.  Be that as it may, I now know that this was my second bite of this classic apple.

In a nutshell, it's about a family and a confidence man who shows up on their west Texas ranch.  It's a time a drought, and Starbuck promises for the sum of $100 that he can make it rain.  The Curry's are over seen by a kindly patriarch, with three adult children.  Noah the eldest who feel responsible for everyone.  Jimmy the youngest who has never been allowed to grow up.  And Lizzie the middle daughter.  Single and on the verge of spinsterhood.  Strong-willed, but plain in appearance.  The characters are rounded out by the Sheriff and his deputy, a younger man who has his own secret and who has a latent attraction to Lizzy that her father and brothers are keen to exploit.

All of the characters are well-played, though I take exception with one.  Matthew Sparacino as the charismatic Starbuck.  Starbuck is a type.  To inhabit that type requires an over-sized sense of self, an exuberant charm and energetic physicality.  Matthew is a fine actor, but he didn't bring the underlying cockiness and bodily finesse that I think the role honestly requires.  Of course, a production can go for a "different type" with any role.  It doesn't mean that it's going to succeed.

Tamieka Chaves

What does succeed was the compelling performance of Tamieka Chavis as Lizzie.  From the moment she arrived on stage, there was a sense that everyone's game took a step up.  She was funny, quick witted and empathetic.  There's a lot about the play that values the mores of yesterday's generation.  Her performance seemed to acknowledge that and to what extent possible, transcend them.  

Jacob Yeh

Playing off her character was Deputy File played by Jacob Yeh.  They had a lovely chemistry.  He played the invincible loner with a past not what he portrays it as very well.  A persona that transforms against his growing degree of trust and vulnerability in Lizzie's presence.  It also falls upon his character to offer up the most resonant line of the play, and when the time came, he did so flawlessly.  

The set by Nadir Bey is perhaps the most ambitious I've yet experienced at 1st Stage, especially with it's moving parts.  A lovely production overall and well worth the price of admission.  And if you see it, feel free to disagree with my reading of the casting of Starbuck.  

[updated with Press Photos]

Noah Curry (Vince Eisenson)--H. C. Curry in background

H. C. Curry (Scott Sedar), Jim Curry (Jonathan Del Palmer) and Lizzy Curry (Tamieka Chavis)

Lizzy Curry and H. C. Curry

Bill Starbuck (Matthew Sparacino), the Rainmaker

Deputy File (Jacob Yeh) with Lizzie Curry