By Kathy Collins
Plant City Entertainment will present The Rainmaker on Friday, May 13 and 20 and Saturday, May 14 and 21 at 8 p.m., and on Sunday, May 15 and 22 at 2 p.m. at the theatre located at 101 N. Thomas St. in historic downtown Plant City. Tickets are $16 for adults; $14 for students and seniors; and $12 for groups of 10 or more.
The Rainmaker is set during the Great Depression in the Midwest at the time of a paralyzing drought. The characters include a girl who is a spinster, her father and two brothers. The father and brothers are more worried about the girl’s marriage prospects than about their dying cattle. Out of nowhere, a sweet talking con man with an interesting sales pitch comes to town. For just $100 the man promises to bring rain. The Rainmaker is both refreshing and persistent, so the family agrees and begins banging on brass drums in an effort to rattle the sky. Meanwhile, the Rainmaker turns his magic on the girl and persuades her that she is a real beauty. She believes this just as her father believed that man could bring rain. Both rain and love come.
The Rainmaker is directed by Plant City Entertainment veteran, Kelley Gustafson. “I love this play and wanted to do a play of substance. I wanted to do something that the actors could dissect and sink their teeth into. This cast gets to display a variation of emotions as we tell the story of faith, family and believing in your dreams.”
Gustafson added, “I am thrilled to be directing this Richard Nash classic. Katherine Hepburn won an Academy Award for her role as the spinster, Lizzy Curry, in the 1956 movie version.”
Gustafson has been with Plant City Entertainment since she was 15-years-old. While her career took her away from Plant City for many years, she is now happily back. Gustafson directed Plant City Entertainment’s production of The Red Velvet Cake War in 2011 and serves as the secretary on the Board of Managers.
Group and advance tickets are available at Hardee’s Fashions, 1501 N. Wheeler St. in Plant City. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 754-4929 or online at www.pceshows.com.
