'Rain on Fire

Marie comes home to plan her addicted mother Lorraine’s funeral. "Rain" left a surprising final wish for Marie and her cousin Caleb, a meth user, to fulfill together. Marie struggles with her anger and loss in a tense, and often funny, play that deals with the opiate crisis in Michigan's northwoods.
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'Rain on Fire

Recommended by

  • Robert Weibezahl:
    3 May. 2022
    With raw honesty – and a bit of heartfelt music – Saari deftly explores the opioid crisis in rural America through the timely story of one extended family turned upside down. Secrets and lies, resentments, poor choices, self-deception – all plays out with a comfortable familiarity that makes the harsh reality all the more painful to acknowledge. The emotions are very real, as is the surprising amount of humor, which, as in life, becomes a mechanism for survival.
  • Andrew Gall:
    8 Sep. 2021
    My life was negatively impacted by a loved's one's addiction to opioids. RAIN ON FIRE frames the conflict accurately while capturing the pathos and heartbreak that comes with it. The characters in this work are honestly drawn and likable. The play offers no easy answers and avoids sentimentality and the pay off is a powerful and meaningful experience.
  • Suzan Fete:
    28 Dec. 2020
    I'm so pleased to recommend this lovely play. 'RAIN ON FIRE was unanimously chosen as a resident play in Renaissance Theaterworks' 2019 annual BR!NK New Play Festival.
    Without preaching or relying on stereotypes, the play illuminates rural America's opioid crisis.  Focusing on one family's struggles, Saari uses humor, music and well-drawn characters to tell a moving story about loss and forgiveness. 

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Flint Repertory Theatre
    ,
    2022
  • Reading
    ,
    Broad Horizons Theatre Company
    ,
    2022
  • Workshop
    ,
    The Blank Theatre-Living Room Series
    ,
    2020

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Flint Repertory Theatre
    ,
    2023

Awards

Winner
,
Playwriting Prize
,
Talk Back Theatre
,
2020
Finalist
,
Core Apprentice
,
Playwrights Center
,
2020
Selection
,
Second-rounder (top 20%)
,
Austin Film Festival
,
2018