With 100% Chance to Shine

An aura of magic surrounds N. Richard Nash’s 1954 comedy-drama “The Rainmaker.” It has a kind of theatricality that--even with its sentimentality--used to be the bread and butter of Broadway.

There’s the oversized hero, the Rainmaker himself, that archetypal con man who has been popular for a century, from Dion Boucicault’s “The Shaughraun” through George M. Cohan’s Vagabond in “The Tavern,” right up to “The Music Man.” He is the lovable scamp who redeems himself in the end.

Then there is the romantic magic that occurs when this particular rascal, rainmaker Bill Starbuck, in the blink of an eye, transforms plain, insecure Lizzie into a beautiful, desirable young woman, marking the end of her spinsterhood.

All this is faithfully and affectionately reproduced in Jack Millis’ staging at the Huntington Beach Playhouse. As the drought continues in the bleak landscape where Lizzie lives with her father, H.C., and her two brothers, Noah and Jim, Millis sticks pretty close to the abundant sentiment of the play.

Though his tempos in the first few scenes are sluggish and cues might not be taken briskly enough, Millis creates the right mood, especially in the taut but compassionate dynamics of a family struggling to maintain its farm and keep their heads above the lack of water.

Starbuck, with his blustering manner and extravagant promises, turns the family upside down, sorting out its problems and, for a small fee of $100, promising a deluge of rain within hours.

The other pivotal role is, of course, Lizzie, the strong-minded, unsophisticated woman who holds the family together, but whom the family wants to see married.

It’s not an easy part, saddled with that age-old cliche of the plain girl with her hair in a bun, who becomes radiant once Starbuck loosens her locks to fall over her shoulders. Roxie Lee does a masterful job of making this blossoming logical and real, with particular delicacy in the tack-room scene as Starbuck transforms her.

Mark Schuliger’s Starbuck is top-notch except for a few of the early moments when it looks as though he’s trying on Starbuck’s charisma for the first time. He is most effective, with Lee, in the tack-room duet, gentle, appealing and winning.

Of the supporting cast, David Farkas stands out as younger son Jim, the goofy butt of his older brother’s barbs. With unbridled spirit and energy, he often upstages the others, funny and bubbling with honest joy. Steven Weiber and Jack Egan are solid as Jim’s brother, Noah, and his father, H.C. Neither goes much beyond a sure but simple characterization, but they provide the right flavor and exactly the proper energy for Millis’ setting.

Paul Blair as File, the deputy, and Jack Reule as Sheriff Thomas, give yeoman support in smaller roles.

* “The Rainmaker,” Huntington Beach Playhouse, 7111 Talbert Ave. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $13. Ends May 16. (714) 375-0696. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.

Mark Schuliger: Bill Starbuck

Roxie Lee: Lizzie Curry

Jack Egan: H.C. Curry

Steven Weiber: Noah Curry

David Farkas: Jim Curry

Paul Blair: File

Jack Reule: Sheriff Thomas

A Huntington Beach Playhouse production of N. Richard Nash’s drama. Produced by Shirl Stewart. Director: Jack Millis. Scenic design: Nanci Stroga. Lighting/sound design: Chad and Terri Brook, Kirk Brown. Stage managers: Verlene and John Van Amber.