‘Rainmaker’ a Blend of Romance and Allegory

“The Rainmaker” at the Arts Council Center in Thousand Oaks is first of all, a great story. It is also one that cuts deep by at least a level or two.

Playwright N. Richard Nash referred to it as a “romantic comedy,” but it has been seen as something more meaningful--a religious allegory, by some.

It is summer, sometime in the 1930s, and well into a horrible drought. Along comes a fellow calling himself Starbuck, who says he can invoke strong rain for $100.

H.C. Curry, son Jimmy and daughter Lizzie are dreamers and willing to give Starbuck a chance; older brother Noah is a doubter and self-described “realist.” Further, Lizzie is a spinster who sees Starbuck as something of a prospect.

Will he bring rain? Does “rain” signify more than water from the skies? Will Deputy File ever stop by for dinner? And just who is this Starbuck fellow?

Director Michael Jordan has found an especially strong cast: Steve Horton as the glowering Noah; James David Plutchak as the dim but eager Jimmy; Jean Waller as Lizzie (just a little too smart and too independent for the local men); and Tim Holtwick as wise father H.C.

Sergio Bertolli is a flashy Starbuck, certainly, but perhaps a bit too buffoonish for some tastes. Steve Brown and James Ireland portray the sheriff and Deputy File.

* “The Rainmaker” plays at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 7 p.m. Sundays through April 28 at the Arts Council Center, 482 Greenmeadow Drive in Thousand Oaks. Tickets are $10; $8 for students and seniors. For reservations or information, call 381-2747.

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Irving Berlin, a Russian emigrant who wrote “God Bless America,” was one of America’s most popular songwriters. A couple of years back, the Santa Paula Theater Center produced a revue of his songs, with Gary Poirot as musical director.

Poirot has reappeared with his own Buenaventura Theatre Group, and the first production is . . . a revue of Irving Berlin songs. The new show previewed last week at a fund-raiser for Ventura City Councilman Ray DiGuilio, and moves this weekend to the Elks’ Lodge in Ventura.

Seven singers (including Poirot) and two dancers interpret classic Berlin material including “Blue Skies,” “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” and “A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody,” plus lesser-known tunes on the order of “When You Walked Out, Someone Else Walked Right In,” “I’m Playing With Fire,” and “Supper Time.”

Poirot also plans to add a medley of movie songs (“White Christmas” no doubt among them) somewhere along the line.

The singers are Poirot (who accompanies the show on piano), Michael K. Cisneros, Julie Denney, Lisa Hofer, Michael Laurence, Shelley Packham and Mark Thomas, with dancers Samuel Bryant and Marisol Tirelli.

Musical highlights are many--watch in particular Poirot and Denney--and the company has mounted an ambitious production, more so than necessary: At times, the overdressed group looks like a road company of “La Cage aux Folles.”

* “An Evening of Irving Berlin” continues Saturday, Sunday and May 4 at the Elks Lodge, 11 S. Ash St., at the corner of Main Street in Ventura. Shows are 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday; tickets are $10 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, with family and group rates available. There’ll be an extra section of songs and a champagne gala on May 4. For reservations or information, call 648-6160.

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The Santa Paula Theater Company’s production of “The Miracle Worker” will be extended through April 28; call 525-4645 for reservations or information. Look for the show to move to Simi Valley in mid-May.

Casting Call: Auditions by appointment only will be held early next month for Cabrillo Music Theater’s production of “Guys and Dolls.” Auditions for Sky Masterson, Sarah Brown, Nathan Detroit, Miss Adelaide and Nicely-Nicely will take place May 4 in Burbank; two Equity guest contracts will be cast from these roles. Additional principal, chorus and dancer auditions will be held May 5 and 6 in Newbury Park. Call 497-8613 for information or appointments for all auditions.

Auditions for Shakespeare in the Park’s summer production, “Two Gentlemen From Verona,” will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on May 4 and 5 at the Arts Council Center, 482 Greenmeadow Drive in Thousand Oaks. Call (818) 991-0317 for information.