the rainmaker | production photos

Another round of production shots from THE RAINMAKER, taken by Emily Cooper.

the rainmaker | halloween special

This Halloween you shouldn't have to choose between dressing up and seeing a play.  So we're giving you a deal: wear your finest plaid shirt to THE RAINMAKER on Friday night, and we'll give you 30% off your tickets.

Here are the details:

THE RAINMAKER Halloween Promotion
Friday, October 31 at 8pm ONLY
Wear a plaid shirt and get at-door tickets for 30% off
Subject to availability, and your plaid must be obviously recognizable to the box office staff.

the rainmaker | forward by n. richard nash

N. Richard Nash, the playwright of THE RAINMAKER, wrote a beautiful forward in the published edition of the script about the impact of a drought.

When drought hits the lush grasslands of the richly fertile west, they are green no more and the dying is a palpable thing. What happens to the verdure and vegetation, to cattle and livestock can be read in the coldly statistical little bulletins freely issued by the Department of Agriculture. What happens to the people of the west—beyond the calculable and terrible phenomena of sudden poverty and loss of substance—is an incalculable and febrile kind of desperations. Rain will never come again; the earth will be sere forever; and in all of heaven, there is no promise of a remedy.

Yet, men of wisdom like H.C. Curry know to be patient with heaven. They know that the earth will not thirst forever; they know that one day they will again awaken to a green morning. Young people like Lizzie, his daughter, cannot know this as certainly as he does. Bright as she is, she cannot know. She can only count the shooting stars, and hope.

-Forward from the print edition of THE RAINMAKER, published by Samuel French

the rainmaker | interview with ron reed

An interview with THE RAINMAKER's director, Ron Reed.

Tell me about your first encounter with The Rainmaker.

I was in grade 11 in high school and Theatre Calgary put the play on. I was completely enamored. Then my high school drama teacher had us each do a monologue, and I did one from that play.
My grade 12 year we did The Rainmaker, and it was one of those most memorable high school experiences that sticks with you. I wanted to play Starbuck, but of course even at that age I was playing old people, so I was HC.

Since then I’ve taught acting a lot and in most of my classes we’ve used one scene in the play. I love that play.

As a play you have loved for so long, why didn’t you produce it earlier?

You know, a few reasons. It’s got seven actors, and we used to really be constricted from doing large-cast shows like that. It’s still tricky, but once a season or so we can kind of make it work. And this season the other two shows have two and three actors, so we can make it work.

Generally, Pacific Theatre tends to gravitate towards really substantial, thought provoking, potentially controversial pieces that explore the depths of spirituality and ethical dilemmas. This play is not that. It’s a lovely play, and we don’t do so much straight up lovely, well made, classic plays. That’s another reason it’s taken so long.

The reason why I’m doing it now starts with last year’s apprentices. Ryan Scramstad did a Starbuck monologue for his audition and it was really strong. With that in my head, the next to audition was Pippa Johnstone, and I realized she would be the perfect Lizzie. So I started scheming about doing it with Pippa as Lizzie, and then as I got to know the other two apprentices I realized they would be perfect as Lizzie’s two brothers. Then the cast just began to emerge and they were so perfect – to begin the season with the apprentices who had just completed was perfect.

What are the challenges of this play?

Challenge one was to get a cast that really was right. Turned out not to be that big of a challenge because we have some pretty great people around. There were a couple of roles I read a lot of people for, but my problem there was that there were a lot of people who could do the role. But there you just start judging by how different people connect with each other and what happens and we got magic.

It’s a straightforward, beautiful play, and I think the actors can be truthful and talk to each other and we’ll just try to create the situation where their job is to live in the world of the play and be the human beings that they are in that story.

Are you doing anything different with this staging?

We’re busting out of the scenic realism the play would usually have. We’re evoking something more poetic that way. We’ve got John Webber designing so I think we’re in good hands.

There is a straight-forwardness about the characters and the story and most people just make it in a ranch house. Ranch houses are an evocative setting and that’s fine, but I come from the prairies and there’s such a sense of the sky and the earth. Especially when you’re on a farm. There’s the farmhouse, and maybe a cluster of farm buildings, and then there’s this mass of space. So in our little room I wanted to evoke that.

We’ve really stepped away from a naturalistic thing, and we really took our cue from the playwright. In 1954 he wrote in the introduction and said that everybody, right down to the ushers, needs to know that this is a Romance. A capital “R” Romance – Romantic. And there’s a poetry there. So we’ll take that further than they would have in 1954, not in the acting, but the setting.

We’ve really stripped the realistic elements down to the bare essentials. We even gave up things we wanted to have on stage but we wanted it as open as can be. If I could stage the play in the middle of a ranch out in the field and just put the furniture pieces there and the audience could stand around and watch, I would. But not even see each other. There’s no walls or anything. That’s my ideal. So we’re trying to get as close to that as we can in our 20x20 theatre.

The values of the play could be called “old fashioned”, how do you respond to that?

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a play that was about me and my values and my relationships. That’s not what I go to the theatre for. I get enough of me at home. I go to see what was life like then, what’s life like for him, what’s life like in that country.

This takes us to a place that I get, that I understand. Lizzie feels broken up for being unmarried at 30. Well, people still feel that way. I know plenty of them. Or maybe it’s not marriage but worrying nobody’s ever going to find you attractive – I’ve felt that way. And that’s Lizzie’s plight. I think it’s very human. The feelings of “I failed at this, there’s nobody for me.” And that’s fine if you don’t want anybody, but if you do, that’s got to hurt.

And I now identify with the dad. Somebody said “you’re only as happy as your least happy child at any moment”, and there is HC and his daughter is broken hearted.

Is there something that you’re most looking forward to about this now?

I’m most looking forward to the play and the actors. I’m also actually using the same source of music that we used in my high school production, which is the music of Aaron Copeland. Because it’s pure Americana and it’s beautiful and romantic and soaring. I’ve got some solo piano stuff I’d never heard before.

It was the right choice in 1974 in Lord Beaverbrook High School in Calgary and it’s the right choice in 2014 at Pacific Theatre in Vancouver.

the rainmaker | cast change

Next week there will be a change in THE RAINMAKER - Ron Reed will be taking over the role of H.C. from Andrew Wheeler.

In order to allow Andrew Wheeler to accept a role in the Firehall Arts Centre's production of URINETOWN, Ron has agreed to take over the role for the final week of performances. This is an amicable decision, made in conjunction with Donna Spencer at the Firehall and the entire team at here PT to support Andrew's career and the work of our colleagues at Main and Cordova.

On the opportunity to play both roles, Andrew said, “Ron’s generosity has allowed me to explore the theme of ‘lack of water resources’ from two unique perspectives in two very different worlds. I am extremely grateful to Ron, Pacific Theatre, and my fellow cast mates for the extra load they have taken on in order to allow this work for me.”

Ron expresses a mixture of excitement and nerves: “It’s a daunting challenge; I’ve watched Andrew in rehearsal, all day every day for three weeks, and those are big cowboy boots to fill! But when Andrew raised the possibility, I knew I had to take the opportunity. To live in that play again, forty years after playing the role in high school. A play I loved so much, with a cast of actors I so enjoy. But now actually being the age of H.C., knowing what it is to be a father, knowing what it is to see your life’s work in jeopardy, it seems like something I have to do.”

So attend the week of Oct 29-Nov 1 and see Ron reprise the role he played at his high school 40 years ago!

the rainmaker | responses

"There’s beauty in this simplicity, and it’s rooted in language, which the play uses in both florid and simple ways ... Persuasively, director Ron Reed and his company hold this material in an affectionate embrace. Ryan Scramstad is hilarious as the slow-witted Jim. Scramstad makes the guy as fresh and sweet as a new ear of corn and he gets his laughs by speaking his lines with utter sincerity. Andrew Wheeler’s H.C. is the salt of the earth and so full of affection for Lizzie that it’s heartbreaking. John Voth’s File is the most contained characterization of the evening, and a lovely case study in just how naturalistically this material can be played. And relative newcomer Pippa Johnstone impresses as Lizzie; the role is pivotal and the play’s naive style is difficult but Johnstone consistently makes emotional sense of it." | Colin Thomas, The Georgia Straight

"A magnificent production of a brilliant classic. I had forgotten the depth of perception and emotion the script contains. The actors conveyed these qualities with tender strength." | Anne-Marie Epp, audience response

"Salvador’s performance is slickly enjoyable. Until almost the end he doesn’t let us know whether this guy is for real or not. Johnstone does a very nice job with Lizzie, too, showing her vulnerability and insecurity as well as her strength." | Jerry Wasserman, VancouverPlays.com

"The Rainmaker is such a fine production in the most perfect of venues. I really enjoy the intimacy of the Pacific Theatre. The set is solidly effective. The squeaky screen door, the dusty/dirty floors. The room was indeed a bit on the warm side, but heck, we were in a drought. Everything about the set was just perfectly considered and placed. The music fit into the production with precision. I found the story itself to be powerful — although I could imagine that the actual impact and interpretation of the story might vary from person to person. I’ll also admit that I had a few tears at the end. And, as perhaps the most critical element of any theatrical work, this production is superbly cast with amazingly talented actors. Each of them should be very proud of their hard work in entertaining us theatre-goers so well. As perhaps my highest form of compliment – I am returning to see this same production again this week. Very, very well done folks." | Kenneth C., audience response

"As comforting as homemade pumpkin pie. You know Lizzie is going to get a man, you know the rainmaker is a conman and, shucks, you know it’s gonna rain. The play goes where our hearts want it to go; it’s just a matter of how long it takes to get there and what surprises we might meet along the way." Jo Ledingham, Vancouver Courier

"The play oozes with timeless concepts of trust, hope, love, and self-discovery, which explains its continued revival on stages worldwide. Director Ron Reed’s production is one such must-see gem. ... The Rainmaker is about individuals discovering their true selves." | Cora Li, Vancouverscape

"I LOVED the Rainmaker! It was funny without being ridiculous. It had believable characters whom all blended well together. The casting was great and the set simple, yet flexible. It was wonderful to leave the theatre feeling so positive with a good dose of hope on top!" | Shannon Bell, audience response

"This production boasts some very powerful performances that capture both the cornpone humour and the almost operatic passion. Andrew Wheeler as the tired and hopeful father is riveting and while he remains devoted to his children, he can still see their flaws. Ryan Scramstrad as the younger, simpler brother finds all the humour of this 1950’s himbo, but with such a great big heart that he often devastates. Robert Salvador is Starbuck, the charlatan rainmaker who holds promise for Lizzie and her family, and has the sexy conman down, but also finds the earnest romantic that makes you root for him. Pippa Johnstone as Lizzie has the self-accepted heaviness of someone who has lived life as a ‘plain girl’ and she finds so much cautious joy when she thinks she is going on a date that it breaks your heart." | David C. Jones, Vancouver Presents

"It was good to enter their lives entering a drought stricken farm and their survival, and then see the struggle that Lizzie faced along with a caring father a caring yet adolescent brother while the other brother handled family members like he ran the ranch. Very intriguing to watch family dynamics." | Beatrice Vanderbos, audience response

"This is a lovely production with a cozy set designed brilliantly by John Webber. With Thanksgiving upon us and Christmas just around the corner, this is a great kick off to the holiday season with its heartwarming sentimentality and family dynamics." | Alan Woo, Fun Fun Vancouver

"In the final analysis, it is all the same: whether you want it to rain or you can’t wait for someone to make it stop raining, you must be prepared to immerse yourself in your hopes and dreams, transcend your sins, and finally become who you really are meant to be. This is the synthesis that director Ron Reed has managed to weave artfully into the Pacific Theatre’s excellent 2014 production of The Rainmaker." - Roger Eberle, Review Vancouver

the rainmaker | more production photos

Another set of production photos from THE RAINMAKER!  Here's a closer look at the Curry family.

the rainmaker | theatre club

We've got our first Theatre Club of the season today for THE RAINMAKER!  Stick around after the matinee to discuss the show with fellow audience members and our apprentice Shona Struthers.

You can also check out our discussion guide and hold your own Theatre Club!  Just download the PDF of our discussion guide here.

the rainmaker | artist talkback

Tonight is the artist talkback for THE RAINMAKER!  

the rainmaker | opening night

We had a great opening of The Rainmaker on Friday night!  Here's some photos of the artists and guests at the reception.

the rainmaker | production photos

THE RAINMAKER opened with a splash yesterday.  Here's the first round of production photos from the show, all taken by Emily Cooper.

the rainmaker | preview coverage

Tonight we open THE RAINMAKER, so we thought we'd share some of the great preview coverage that's come out for the show.

An excerpt from Ron Reed's interview in The Vancouver Sun:

Most theatre people remember their first true love. Maybe they can’t recall their first date, or the first person they kissed, but they know which play or performance they saw that made them realize they weren’t just in a theatre, they were home.

Ron Reed was in high school in Calgary when he was smitten by The Rainmaker. And the artistic director of Pacific Theatre is kicking off his season with a production of the American classic.
“When I was in it I was younger than Jimmy, the youngest brother in the story. Now I’m a dad, I’ve seen my daughters grow.”

As Reed tells The Sun about directing the show he fell for in Grade 12 it’s clear that the passion is still there as he talks about “the thrill” of directing the show and how he was relieved and delighted to discover he still finds it as “potent” as he had as a kid.

Read the whole thing here.

An excerpt from John Voth's interview with The Province:

He’s thrilled to be appearing in Pacific Theatre productions because he thinks the company puts on shows that are consistently challenging and honest. Over the years, it’s become one of the top-tier companies, with some excellent talent.

“The Rainmaker is very personal and down to Earth,” says Voth. “I expected it to be more action-packed going in, but it turns out that the characters are really believable and really refreshing. It’s unusual to find a play that has got everything in it to the point that you can just act naturally.”

It’s a different skill set than what is usually required; act minimally. But Voth says that the stage directions for the play keep stressing minimalism over and over again. The whole cast has found that in readings this rings true, too. He thinks that it should make for the kind of show where you really almost feel like you are eavesdropping on a discussion rather than watching a play.

Read the whole thing here.

An excerpt from Emily Cooper's interview about her artwork with us (with a focus on THE RAINMAKER) in Vancouver Presents:

For Pacific Theatre’s season opener, The Rainmaker, Cooper came up with 17 versions that she felt were contenders, with four ultimately making the final cut to be put in front of Reed and his team.

“When I first read The Rainmaker I felt the heat of the sun, of the really strong sun and the sexiness of the sun on your skin and sweating,” she recalls. “I was really inspired by the sun and I wanted that to be in the image.”

For the background images representing the men in the play, Cooper pulled from her collection of negative glass plates from the Portland photo historian. “They are all black and white Sunday portraits from the early 1900s, that I colored,” she says.

Read the entire thing here.

An excerpt from Pippa Johnstone's interview with Biz Books:

First and foremost, I just love the story. I am always drawn to stories about family, heartbreak and hope, and this story has a l all three. The story really hits home for me, it’s a real lesson in learning to love and believe in yourself, and about how beauty comes from how you see yourself. I think most people I know can relate to that on some level. Not to mention the creative team we have assembled is an absolute dream! I feel so lucky getting to work with some of my favourite artists in Vancouver on this beautiful play

Read the entire thing here.

the rainmaker | pay-what-you-can preview

Tonight is the pay-what-you-can preview of THE RAINMAKER!  You can reserve your tickets in advance for $13.99 or show up at the door for pay-what-you-can seating.  As always, we recommend showing up around 7:30pm if you're going to go for the rush tickets.  See you tonight!

the rainmaker | character selfies

We asked the actors of THE RAINMAKER to take selfies of themselves in character.  If you've been keeping up with us on Facebook you've been seeing these doled out one at a time, but we didn't want the non-Facebookers to miss out!  Here they all are.

the rainmaker | subscriber appreciation saturday

This weekend is the first Subscriber Appreciation Saturday of the season!  We are thrilled to invite our subscribers in for a fireside chat with Artistic Director, and director of THE RAINMAKER, Ron Reed.  He'll discuss THE RAINMAKER and how it fits into the PT season, as well as past shows like THE FOREIGNER and what's yet to come.

THE RAINMAKER SUBSCRIBER APPRECIATION SATURDAY

A Fireside Chat with Ron Reed

Sat, Oct 11 following the matinee (approx 4:30pm)

RSVP to Shona at shona@pacifictheatre.org if you would like to attend.

the rainmaker | advance photos

Here are our advance shots for THE RAINMAKER - all photos by Emily Cooper.

the rainmaker | preparing for the role

We've been overhearing the team for THE RAINMAKER talking about the research they've been doing to prepare for the show, and we thought it would be fun to let you in on what helps shape the actors' perception of the world of the play.

 Documentary: The Dust Bowl by Ken Burns

A four-part documentary created by Ken Burns in 2012 for PBS on the Dust Bowl, a period of about eight years in the 1930s of severe drought and dust storms in the US and Canada.  

Book: 10 Lost Years by Barry Broadfoot

The stories of individual Canadians who survived the depression and droughts of the 1930s, including many stories from farms and ranches similar to the Curry Family Ranch in The Rainmaker.

Book: The Dionne Years by Pierre Burton

The story of the Dionne quintuplets, born in the 1930s, giving another picture of that time.

Book: Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

This classic story gets right into the world of The Rainmaker, depicting the Great Depression and Dust Bowl through the lens of one farming family.