powered by FreeFind

 

110 In the Shade

OCR Album cover

Music by Harvey Schmidt: Lyrics by Tom Jones: Book by N. Richard Nash. Based on the comedy The Rainmaker by N. Richard Nash

Broadhurst Theatre, Broadway - October 24, 1963 (330 perfs)
Palace Theatre, London - 8 February, 1967

The Story

Act I

The train station of a drought-stricken Western town - early morning, the beginning of Another Hot Day.

Lizzie, a plain-looking girl had left town hoping to find a husband but she has failed. In rushes Jim Curry expecting his sister Lizzie on the morning train. He is joined by older brother Noah and father H.C. Lizzie arrives and confesses that her trip didn't work. She met lots of eligible men, but ..... Her menfolk decide to try another plan; they'll invite Sheriff File, the town's most eligible bachelor, to the annual picnic.

In File's office, the men try to lure the sheriff to the picnic but he refuses. Meanwhile, at the park, Lizzie, expecting File, joins in the picnic preparations but she becomes angry and hurt when she learns he is not coming. Out of nowhere,a stranger, the Fabulous Starbuck suddenly appears, announcing that he's a Rainmaker and for the modest fee of $100 dollars he will end the drought and cause the rain to fall.

Lizzie sees through the fraud and calls Starbuck a fake. He in turn tells her that she is not really a woman. Lizzie turns to her father for comfort. In fantasy, she imagines herself a wicked woman of the world. Suddenly, File arrives at the picnic. He confesses to Lizzie that he is not a widower, as he has been saying, but a divorced man. He tells her in song of the heartbreak that can come to a man and a woman. Lizzie answers by singing of the bright side of marriage, but File is unconvinced. Lizzie calls him a fool, and is immediately sorry - but it's too late. File - and her last chance - is gone. Noah calls Lizzie "plain" and tells her she'll have to face the future as an old maid. Lizzie runs off and tries to reconcile herself to being an old maid.

Act II

The picnic pavilion. The townspeople dance and celebrate. Lizzie goes to Starbuck's wagon. He tries to persuade her to adopt a marvellous name and a dream to go with it. No, she explains, her dreams are all of simple little things. Starbuck tries to convince her that she is pretty: someday she'll see it in the eyes of the man who loves her. Starbuck kisses her and suddenly Lizzie realises that she us being wooed by two attractive men.

Meanwhile Starbuck confesses to Lizzie that he is a con man and a fake - he has never made rain in his life. But, just when he has decided to stay with Lizzie and try living in the real world, File appears with a warrant for Starbuck's arrest. But File is persuaded by all to let Starbuck get away. Starbuck begs Lizzie to flee with him. File, realising, at last, that he loves her, asks her to stay with him. Lizzie decides to stay with File. Suddenly, miracle of miracles, the rains come! The long drought is over!

Musical Numbers:

  1. Gonna Be Another Hot Day - File & Company
  2. Lizzie's Comin' Home - H.C., Noah & Jimmie
  3. Love Don't Turn Away - Lizzie
  4. Poker Polka - File, H.C. and Noah
  5. Hungry Men - Townsfolk
  6. Rain Song - Starbuck & Townspeople
  7. You're Not Foolin' Me - Lizzie & Starbuck
  8. Raunchy - Lizzie & H.C.
  9. A Man and A Woman - Lizzie & Starbuck
  10. Old Maid - Lizzie
  11. Everything Beautiful Happens At Night - Toby, Jimmie, Snookie and Townspeople
  12. Melisande - Starbuck
  13. Simple Little Things - Lizzie
  14. Little Red Hat - Snookie & Jimmie
  15. It It Really Me? - Lizzie & Starbuck
  16. Wonderful Music - File, Starbuck & Lizzie
  17. Rain Song Finale - Full Company

Discography:

Original Broadway Cast - 1085-2-RG (07863-51085-2 1)