THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 25, 1996 TAG: 9602220145
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: John Harper
LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
After a three-month hiatus, The Theatre of Dare returns Thursday with its second play of the season: N. Richard Nash's ``The Rainmaker.''
The play, set in the American West of the mid 1930s, centers on the Curry family. They, like hundreds of other ranchers, struggle to cope with a paralyzing drought.
But the cattle and vegetation dying around them are just part of the family's concerns. Father H.C. and brothers Noah and Jim are just as worried that the girl of the family may never find a husband.
The brothers try every possible scheme to marry sister Lizzie off, but without success. And there's no relief from the heat.
Then, out of nowhere, Bill Starbuck appears. The charismactic character calls himself a ``rainmaker,'' and he promises to bring rain at a bargain price of $100. The desperate but skeptical family hires the man, who immediately begins banging a big bass drum to ``rattle the sky.''
But the new man in town is not just a rainmaker; he's also a romantic. He convinces Lizzie that she has real beauty, both inside and out. And she believes it, just as the father believes the stranger can bring rain.
What follows is a play with a simple plot: The characters discover that all people are blessed, and that within all of us is love - both redemptive and healing.
``I've always liked this play,'' says George Spence, who is directing his third play for the theater group. ``It has dramatic elements, as well as comedy and a love story.''
John Gillikin, a National Park Service ranger, makes his Theatre of Dare debut as Starbuck. He is well-known in the area for his animated, passionate lectures on the Wright Brothers' historic first flight in Kitty Hawk.
``John's very good,'' Spence says. ``He has to play a character that is part con-man, dreamer and ladies' man.''
Playing the part of Lizzie is another Theatre of Dare first-timer, Christine O'Donnell. A recent graduate of East Carolina University, her credits include roles in ``Biloxi Blues,'' ``Strangers on Earth,'' ``Pippin'' and ``Hair.'' Offstage, O'Donnell is a staff announcer at WVOD-FM, 99.l, in Manteo.
Another radio announcer, Tom Charity of WRSF-FM, Dixie 105.7, plays father H.C. Curry. Michael Davenport, who last appeared in ``Anastasia,'' plays Noah.
Also in the cast is Manteo High School teacher Michael Allen, who plays Jim Curry. Martin Rosato and Charles Boyce round out the cast.
The play debuted on Broadway in 1954 with Darren McGavin as Starbuck and Geraldine Page as Lizzie. Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn played the roles in the 1960s film version.
Spence, who picked ``The Rainmaker'' for the theater group, first directed the play in the 1950s.
``The dialogue is so poetic, almost like Shakespeare,'' he says. ``And the love scene at the end of the second act has always enchanted me.''
``The Rainmaker,'' which starts Thursday, is the second of the theater group's three-play season.
Next up is Neil Simon's ``The Odd Couple.'' MEMO: John Harper covers Outer Banks entertainment for The Carolina Coast.
Send comments and questions to him at P.O. Box 10, Nags Head, N.C.
27959.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo courtesy of the Theatre of Dare
Martin Rosato, left, John Gillikan and Christine O. Donnell rehearse
for the opening of ``The Rainmaker.''
WHAT & WHERE
What: Theatre of Dare's presentation of ``The Rainmaker.''
When: Feb. 29, March 1, 2, 8, 9 at 8 p.m., March 10 at 2 p.m.
Where: Manteo Middle School.
Tickets: $8 at the door, $7 in advance, $4 for students.
Available at Paiges at the Marketplace, Gray's in Kitty Hawk, The
Yarn Corner in Kill Devil Hills, Sea Oatel in Nags Head and Manteo
Booksellers.
For more information: 441-3088.
by CNB