‘The Rainmaker’ Romances Poway Audiences

“The Rainmaker,” a story written about America’s Finest City with a twist of romance and dash of comedy, is performing until Nov. 20 at PowPAC, Poway’s community theater.

Directed by Mary Smith and produced by Lynn Wolsey, the story is loosely based on an actual event that took place in 1915 in drought-torn San Diego. A rainmaker named Charles Hatfield did indeed bring rain, but he was never paid by the city after torrential downpours overflowed dams and caused damaging floods.

“The Rainmaker” by N. Richard Nash is an American classic made famous by the movie starring Burt Lancaster as Starbuck and Katherine Hepburn as Lizzie Curry.

“We chose it because we try to do at least one classic play during each season, and award-winning director Mary Lou Smith pitched it to us with such a passion for the work we couldn’t resist,” said Sherrie Coburn of PowPAC.

The play runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $18 for general admission, $15 for seniors, students and active military, and $14 for groups of 10 or more. To make a reservation, contact the PowPAC Box office at 858-679-8085 or boxoffice@powpac.org.

From romance to dance, the Academy of World Dance n Arts is offering a new Mexican ballet folklorico class Saturdays from noon to 1 p.m. The first class is free with a one-month enrollment.

Confidence, creativity, coordination and self-discipline are some of the suggested benefits to dance. Ballet folklorico is also credited with grace and beauty, combined with the music and colorful costuming. What could be more fun?

All experience levels are welcome and the class is open to both boys and girls. For more information call 858-679-8277.

For Powegians’ holiday calendars: Save the date for “The Nutcracker,” Friday Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday Dec. 3 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.

The San Diego Academy of Ballet and the Youth Ballet Theatre will welcome guest artists Sascha Radetsky and Alys Shee from American Ballet Theatre.

For tickets call 858-748-0505.