Painted Rain

Painted Rain by Janet Allard

(5)
Productions (75)
Drama/Comedy
|
40 - 50 minutes
1 W, 2 M,  (3 actors possible: 0-3 W, 0-3 M)
Content Notes: Mild adult language
Set: A bedroom with two beds and a large window frame

Painted Rain explores the relationship between two boys in an orphanage, on the verge of being separated by adoption. The younger boy, an energetic non-conformist, tries desperately to draw out his older roommate, who is an aspiring painter confined to a wheelchair that he refuses to relinquish for leg braces. Both boys strive to live life the way they want to live it and make their own choices, despite the external pressures and expectations of a well-meaning social worker. As the impending separation nears, these two "almost brothers" struggle to break through their alienation and isolation to find companionship and connection.

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $55
Standard Edition $11.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $75

*The per performance fee begins at $55. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Play Details

Painted Rain explores the relationship between two boys in an orphanage, on the verge of being separated by adoption. The younger boy, an energetic non-conformist, tries desperately to draw out his older roommate, who is an aspiring painter confined to a wheelchair that he refuses to relinquish for leg braces. Both boys strive to live life the way they want to live it and make their own choices, despite the external pressures and expectations of a well-meaning social worker. As the impending separation nears, these two "almost brothers" struggle to break through their alienation and isolation to find companionship and connection.

  • Drama/Comedy
  • |
  • 40 - 50 minutes
  • 1 W, 2 M,  (3 actors possible: 0-3 W, 0-3 M)
  • Content Notes: Mild adult language
  • Set: A bedroom with two beds and a large window frame

Published Reviews

"This is a sweet, sad vignette about two lonely boys growing up in an orphanage, one of whom dreams about being a painter. There is a gentle poetic quality in the writing and the imagery."

Mel Gussow, The New York Times

"Painted Rain is full of spunky charm and rueful humor. If you love to see the triumph of the human spirit, then this is a play not to be missed."

Marion Larson, The Courier (Aberdeen, NJ)

"Rain is [an] engaging look at relationships... Painted Rain has more humor in it than most, it explores relationships, and provokes our thinking."

The Daily Tidings (Ashland, Oregon)

"Painted Rain is the most interesting and subtly involved work...the themes of alienation and needed companionship are strongly sounded."

Doug Watt, New York Daily News

"A good ear for dialogue and fine-tuned sense of humor keep Allard's theme fresh."

Leo Seligsohn, New York Newsday

"The play, an unpretentious blend of feeling and comedy, is brief and well put together."

Edith Oliver, The New Yorker

"Miss Allard deals sensitively and perceptively with the tensions and mutual affection between two young orphans awaiting adoption. The play's ending is heartfelt."

John Beaufort, The Christian Science Monitor

"'It's a moving play,' said Jack Hofsiss whose production of The Elephant Man won him a Tony. Hofsiss is chairman of the Henry Fonda Young Playwrights Project that selected Allard's play to be presented at the center out of the 150 entries from around the United States... 'Her characters transcend their specific disabilities and delve deeply in the human realm. This is not a play about disabilities, but about friendships, experiences and the commonality of man. It's moving whether it's about someone in a wheelchair or simply two people who need each other...'"

Mary Benanti, The Honolulu Advertiser

"This play, Painted Rain, most touchingly explores the relationship between two young boys in an orphanage...its language rings pure gold, and its modestly conceived characters behave to the life."

Clive Barnes, The New York Post

Production History

JAN 24, 2024 - JAN 26, 2024
CTE Tam High
Mill Valley, CA United States
CTE Tam High Mill Valley, CA United States
JAN 11, 2024 - JAN 13, 2024
Bishop Blanchet High School
Seattle, WA United States
Bishop Blanchet High School Seattle, WA United States
OCT 27, 2023 - OCT 28, 2023
Bellmont Theatre
Decatur, IN United States
Bellmont Theatre Decatur, IN United States
MAY 27, 2023 - MAY 28, 2023
Mississauga Players Theatre
Mississauga, ON Canada
Mississauga Players Theatre Mississauga, ON Canada
MAR 24, 2023 - MAR 24, 2023
Lees Summit High School
Lee's Summit, MO United States
Lees Summit High School Lee's Summit, MO United States
FEB 05, 2022 - FEB 06, 2022
Tamalpais High Drama Dept. CTE
Mill Valley, CA United States
Tamalpais High Drama Dept. CTE Mill Valley, CA United States
MAY 07, 2021 - MAY 07, 2021
Mill Creek High School
Hoschton, GA United States
Mill Creek High School Hoschton, GA United States
MAY 01, 2021 - MAY 01, 2021
Episcopal School of Acadiana
Broussard, LA United States
Episcopal School of Acadiana Broussard, LA United States
FEB 05, 2021 - FEB 13, 2021
Mill Creek High School
Hoschton, GA United States
Mill Creek High School Hoschton, GA United States
APR 23, 2020 - APR 24, 2020
Parkway South High School
Manchester, MO United States
Parkway South High School Manchester, MO United States
JAN 17, 2020 - JAN 19, 2020
Wootton High School
Rockville, MD United States
Wootton High School Rockville, MD United States
MAY 11, 2019 - MAY 11, 2019
Academy For Academics And Arts
Huntsville, AL United States
Academy For Academics And Arts Huntsville, AL United States
MAY 07, 2019 - JUL 07, 2019
How Dramatic Theatre Company Incorporated
Lilydale, VIC Australia
How Dramatic Theatre Company Incorporated Lilydale, VIC Australia
MAY 04, 2019 - MAY 04, 2019
Forney High School
Forney, TX United States
Forney High School Forney, TX United States
APR 01, 2019 - APR 01, 2019
Dreher High School
Columbia, SC United States
Dreher High School Columbia, SC United States
MAR 07, 2019 - MAR 09, 2019
HB Woodlawn
Arlington, VA United States
HB Woodlawn Arlington, VA United States
FEB 08, 2019 - FEB 10, 2019
Young People's Theatre
Aberdeen, SD United States
Young People's Theatre Aberdeen, SD United States
JAN 18, 2019 - JAN 23, 2019
Tamalpais High Drama Department
Mill Valley, CA United States
Tamalpais High Drama Department Mill Valley, CA United States
DEC 02, 2018 - DEC 02, 2018
Theatre Wesleyan
Fort Worth, TX United States
Theatre Wesleyan Fort Worth, TX United States
MAY 11, 2018 - MAY 11, 2018
Zachary High School
Zachary, LA United States
Zachary High School Zachary, LA United States
APR 26, 2018 - APR 26, 2018
Cutting Edge Theater
Goodyear, AZ United States
Cutting Edge Theater Goodyear, AZ United States
MAR 28, 2018 - MAR 28, 2018
CVHS Theatre Arts
Chandler, AZ United States
CVHS Theatre Arts Chandler, AZ United States
MAR 26, 2018 - MAR 26, 2018
CVHS Theatre Arts
Gilbert, AZ United States
CVHS Theatre Arts Gilbert, AZ United States
MAR 22, 2018 - MAR 23, 2018
N/A
Bloomington, IL United States
N/A Bloomington, IL United States
FEB 22, 2018 - MAR 02, 2018
Meadowvale Secondary School
Mississauga, ON Canada
Meadowvale Secondary School Mississauga, ON Canada
FEB 02, 2018 - FEB 10, 2018
Arroyo Grande High School
Arroyo Grande, CA United States
Arroyo Grande High School Arroyo Grande, CA United States
OCT 05, 2017 - OCT 06, 2017
West Port High School
Ocala, FL United States
West Port High School Ocala, FL United States
MAR 10, 2017 - MAR 10, 2017
Tuscarora High School
Leesburg, VA United States
Tuscarora High School Leesburg, VA United States
MAR 03, 2017 - MAR 03, 2017
Bramalea Secondary School
Brampton, ON Canada
Bramalea Secondary School Brampton, ON Canada
FEB 15, 2017 - FEB 15, 2017
Bramalea Secondary School
Brampton, ON Canada
Bramalea Secondary School Brampton, ON Canada
JAN 26, 2017 - FEB 04, 2017
Northern Michigan University
MARQUETTE, MI United States
Northern Michigan University MARQUETTE, MI United States
NOV 29, 2016 - NOV 29, 2016
Theatre Wesleyan
Fort Worth, TX United States
Theatre Wesleyan Fort Worth, TX United States
NOV 15, 2016 - DEC 15, 2016
Crawford Public Schools
Crawford, NE United States
Crawford Public Schools Crawford, NE United States
APR 21, 2016 - APR 22, 2016
Cherry Creek High School
Greenwood Village, CO United States
Cherry Creek High School Greenwood Village, CO United States
APR 14, 2016 - APR 23, 2016
Harding University
Searcy, AR United States
Harding University Searcy, AR United States
JAN 28, 2016 - JAN 30, 2016
White Station High School
Memphis, TN United States
White Station High School Memphis, TN United States
JAN 14, 2016 - JAN 14, 2016
Spazio 47
Aprilia, Italy
Spazio 47 Aprilia, Italy
APR 25, 2014 - APR 26, 2014
Albuquerque Academy
Albuquerque, NM United States
Albuquerque Academy Albuquerque, NM United States
MAY 18, 2013 - MAY 19, 2013
Bergen County Academies
Hackensack, NJ United States
Bergen County Academies Hackensack, NJ United States
MAR 07, 2013 - MAR 07, 2013
South Park Middle School
Corpus Christi, TX United States
South Park Middle School Corpus Christi, TX United States
JAN 23, 2013 - JAN 30, 2013
Tamalpais High Drama Dept.
Mill Valley, CA United States
Tamalpais High Drama Dept. Mill Valley, CA United States
JAN 18, 2013 - JAN 19, 2013
Douglas High School
Minden, NV United States
Douglas High School Minden, NV United States
NOV 18, 2011 - NOV 18, 2011
Interlachen High School
Jacksonville, FL United States
Interlachen High School Jacksonville, FL United States
SEP 15, 2011 - OCT 27, 2011
Shiloh High School
Snellville, GA United States
Shiloh High School Snellville, GA United States
FEB 18, 2011 - FEB 20, 2011
Regent University Theatre
Virginia Beach, VA United States
Regent University Theatre Virginia Beach, VA United States
NOV 18, 2010 - NOV 19, 2010
Northglenn High School
Northglenn, CO United States
Northglenn High School Northglenn, CO United States
NOV 06, 2010 - NOV 14, 2010
Hartnell College Theatre Arts
Salinas, CA United States
Hartnell College Theatre Arts Salinas, CA United States
SEP 03, 2008 - SEP 06, 2008
Theatre Programme, Victoria University Of Wellington
Wellington, New Zealand
Theatre Programme, Victoria University Of Wellington Wellington, New Zealand
APR 17, 2008 - APR 18, 2008
Mount Tabor High School
Winston-Salem, NC United States
Mount Tabor High School Winston-Salem, NC United States
JAN 26, 2008 - JAN 27, 2008
Tam High School
Mill Valley, CA United States
Tam High School Mill Valley, CA United States
SEP 28, 2007 - SEP 28, 2007
Cedar Ridge High School Theatre
Hillsborough, NC United States
Cedar Ridge High School Theatre Hillsborough, NC United States
MAR 25, 2007 - MAR 25, 2007
Seton Hill University Theatre
Greensburg, PA United States
Seton Hill University Theatre Greensburg, PA United States
JAN 23, 2007 - JAN 24, 2007
Coe-Brown Northwood Academy
Northwood, NH United States
Coe-Brown Northwood Academy Northwood, NH United States
NOV 17, 2006 - NOV 21, 2006
Mesa College Theatre
San Diego, CA United States
Mesa College Theatre San Diego, CA United States
OCT 27, 2006 - NOV 04, 2006
Liberty High School
Bealeton, VA United States
Liberty High School Bealeton, VA United States
JUN 30, 2006 - JUN 30, 2006
Bradshaw Mt. High School
Prescott Valley, AZ United States
Bradshaw Mt. High School Prescott Valley, AZ United States
APR 20, 2006 - APR 20, 2006
Dr. John Horn High School
Mesquite, TX United States
Dr. John Horn High School Mesquite, TX United States
FEB 25, 2006 - FEB 25, 2006
Southern Delaware School Of The Arts
Augusta, GA United States
Southern Delaware School Of The Arts Augusta, GA United States
NOV 17, 2005 - DEC 02, 2005
Worland High School
Worland, WY United States
Worland High School Worland, WY United States
OCT 24, 2005 - OCT 28, 2005
Ocean Lakes High School
Virginia Beach, VA United States
Ocean Lakes High School Virginia Beach, VA United States
OCT 08, 2005 - NOV 19, 2005
Greenbrier High
Evans, GA United States
Greenbrier High Evans, GA United States
APR 21, 2005 - APR 22, 2005
Goddard High School
Goddard, KS United States
Goddard High School Goddard, KS United States
JAN 05, 2005 - JAN 05, 2005
Rutland High School
Rutland, VT United States
Rutland High School Rutland, VT United States
APR 22, 2004 - APR 23, 2004
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ United States
Arizona State University Tempe, AZ United States
NOV 17, 2003 - NOV 17, 2003
South Mecklenburg High School
Charlotte, NC United States
South Mecklenburg High School Charlotte, NC United States
JAN 01, 1994 - DEC 31, 1994
New Conservatory Theater
San Francisco, CA United States
New Conservatory Theater San Francisco, CA United States
JAN 01, 1991 - DEC 31, 1991
Warragul Arts Center
Warragul, Australia
Warragul Arts Center Warragul, Australia
JAN 01, 1991 - DEC 31, 1991
Miami Sunset High School
Miami, FL United States
Miami Sunset High School Miami, FL United States
JAN 01, 1990 - DEC 31, 1990
Creative Productions
Aberdeen, NJ United States
Creative Productions Aberdeen, NJ United States
JAN 01, 1990 - DEC 31, 1990
Ukiah Players
Ukiah, CA United States
Ukiah Players Ukiah, CA United States
JAN 01, 1989 - DEC 31, 1989
Playwrights Horizons
New York, NY United States
Playwrights Horizons New York, NY United States
JAN 01, 1989 - DEC 31, 1989
Studio X
Ashland, OR United States
Studio X Ashland, OR United States
JAN 01, 1989 - DEC 31, 1990
Theater Winterhaven
Winterhaven, FL United States
Theater Winterhaven Winterhaven, FL United States
JAN 01, 1988 - DEC 31, 1988
Kennedy Center
Washington, DC United States
Kennedy Center Washington, DC United States
JAN 01, 1988 - DEC 31, 1988
Honolulu Theater for Youth
Honolulu, HI United States
Honolulu Theater for Youth Honolulu, HI United States
No upcoming productions.
JAN 01, 1994 - DEC 31, 1994
New Conservatory Theater
San Francisco, CA United States
New Conservatory Theater San Francisco, CA United States
JAN 01, 1991 - DEC 31, 1991
Warragul Arts Center
Warragul, Australia
Warragul Arts Center Warragul, Australia
JAN 01, 1989 - DEC 31, 1989
Playwrights Horizons
New York, NY United States
Playwrights Horizons New York, NY United States
JAN 01, 1989 - DEC 31, 1989
Studio X
Ashland, OR United States
Studio X Ashland, OR United States
JAN 01, 1988 - DEC 31, 1988
Kennedy Center
Washington, DC United States
Kennedy Center Washington, DC United States
JAN 01, 1988 - DEC 31, 1988
Honolulu Theater for Youth
Honolulu, HI United States
Honolulu Theater for Youth Honolulu, HI United States

Awards (4)

Henry Fonda Young Playwrights Project winner (1988)

New York Young Playwrights Festival winner (1989)

Southeast Region Young Playwrights' Award (1989)

Very Special Arts Young Playwrights Award (1990)

Archival Video License

Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License to add to your order for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

This allows you to record one of your live performances for your internal archives only. This cannot be streamed.

For more information, please reach out to [email protected]