About the Play:

The Rainmaker has long been a favourite of acting teachers for Female Monologues, Male Monologues, and Female/Male Scenes.

The Rainmaker is a full-length romantic comedy by N. Richard Nash. A farm girl, who believes herself to be "as plain as old shoes," finds herself falling, against her better judgment, for a fast-talking con man who promises to bring rain to her family's ever-dry ranch. The Rainmaker is a story of impossible odds and impossible hope. Especially recommended for school and contest use.

The Rainmaker is about a farm family whose lives are changed by the arrival of a smooth-talking con man spinning colourful dreams. At the time of a terrible drought on a western ranch we discover a girl whose father and two brothers are worried as much about finding her a husband as they are about their dying cattle. For the truth is, she's come to the reluctant conclusion that she's not pretty enough to snag a husband. 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 charismatic drifter with a smooth line of talk 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 the much-desired rain does come, and so does love. The cast of well-drawn supporting characters is rounded out by the town sheriff and his deputy.

The Rainmaker premiered in 1954 at the Cort Theatre on Broadway in New York City and has been persistently revived by companies worldwide. The play has become a favourite scene study vehicle in acting classes and workshops and is regularly performed in regional, middle school, high school, college, and community theatre productions. It has been translated into 40 languages.

Cast: 1 female, 6 male

What people say:

"...warm, simple and friendly; the humor is captivating, and the characters are lovable and original." — The New York Times

"Admirable skill... [and] insight into the human heart.... The touch of a poet.... A hit you must see." — New York Mirror

"The Rainmaker tells you what you want to hear about human nature, and does so without once putting a dramatic foot wrong. Cast it well and stage it efficiently and the results will disarm all but the most cinder-hearted of cynics." — Wall Street Journal

About the Playwright:

N. Richard Nash (1913-2000), born Nathan Richard Nusbaum, was a prolific and popular American playwright, screenwriter, novelist, and teacher whose greatest success was the tender drama The Rainmaker.