Painted Rain

Painted Rain by Janet Allard

(6)
Productions (78)
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

MAY 07, 2025 - MAY 09, 2025
St. Andrew's College
Aurora, ON Canada
St. Andrew's CollegeAurora, ON Canada
MAR 09, 2025 - MAR 09, 2025
River Ridge High School
New Port Richey, FL United States
River Ridge High SchoolNew Port Richey, FL United States
NOV 16, 2024 - NOV 16, 2024
River Ridge High School
Bartow, FL United States
River Ridge High SchoolBartow, FL United States
JAN 24, 2024 - JAN 26, 2024
CTE Tam High
Mill Valley, CA United States
CTE Tam HighMill Valley, CA United States
JAN 11, 2024 - JAN 13, 2024
Bishop Blanchet High School
Seattle, WA United States
Bishop Blanchet High SchoolSeattle, WA United States
OCT 27, 2023 - OCT 28, 2023
Bellmont Theatre
Decatur, IN United States
Bellmont TheatreDecatur, IN United States
MAY 27, 2023 - MAY 28, 2023
Mississauga Players Theatre
Mississauga, ON Canada
Mississauga Players TheatreMississauga, ON Canada
MAR 24, 2023 - MAR 24, 2023
Lees Summit High School
Lee's Summit, MO United States
Lees Summit High SchoolLee'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. CTEMill Valley, CA United States
MAY 07, 2021 - MAY 07, 2021
Mill Creek High School
Hoschton, GA United States
Mill Creek High SchoolHoschton, GA United States
1 of 8
MAY 07, 2025 - MAY 09, 2025
St. Andrew's College
Aurora, ON Canada
St. Andrew's CollegeAurora, ON Canada
JAN 01, 1994 - DEC 31, 1994
New Conservatory Theater
San Francisco, CA United States
New Conservatory TheaterSan Francisco, CA United States
JAN 01, 1991 - DEC 31, 1991
Warragul Arts Center
Warragul, Australia
Warragul Arts CenterWarragul, Australia
JAN 01, 1989 - DEC 31, 1989
Playwrights Horizons
New York, NY United States
Playwrights HorizonsNew York, NY United States
JAN 01, 1989 - DEC 31, 1989
Studio X
Ashland, OR United States
Studio XAshland, OR United States
JAN 01, 1988 - DEC 31, 1988
Kennedy Center
Washington, DC United States
Kennedy CenterWashington, DC United States
JAN 01, 1988 - DEC 31, 1988
Honolulu Theater for Youth
Honolulu, HI United States
Honolulu Theater for YouthHonolulu, 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 playscriptsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com