By Katrina “Kat” Reynolds
A STEADY RAIN presented by Beechmont Players through November 8th. I attended the Opening Saturday performance.
Rick Grant and Dan Cohen. Photo by Kiya Fix.
This fall, Beechmont Players is bringing audiences A Steady Rain by Keith Huff. Described in short as “a gripping psychological drama exploring loyalty, morality, and the thin line between right and wrong”, this two-hander packs quite the emotional punch. Mr. Huff’s talent for writing great dialogue is extraordinary with the ideal mix of humour, suspense, and grit. The tale of two policemen who have been friends since childhood is a testament to the playwright’s skills as a storyteller.
Fortunately for the audience (and his performing artists), Director Ed Cohen is no slouch as a storyteller, either. His veteran leadership only helps to amplify the differences between the characters while staying true to the common bonds they share. The set is brilliantly simple; the characters are and should be the focus without any unnecessary distractions. Lighting Design by Kiya Fix and Michael Yarick (who wears many hats for this production including Technical Director) complements the simplicity of the set and contributes to the feeling of intimacy as we bear witness to the story unfolding before us.
Kudos to Stage Manager and Assistant Director Kate Collins for offering an additional point of view on Ed’s vision – the two come together nicely. (Please note I am not trying to be overly familiar with our director – but there are two Mr. Cohens of which I will be speaking. Besides, I know he wouldn’t mind.)
Under the capable direction of his father (and due to his own talents, of course), Dan Cohen hits his turn as Denny out of the park. His carefully chosen and executed mannerisms correlate seamlessly with his dialogue in telling you exactly who his character is. Yet, we see the vulnerability of a human who really does want to “protect and serve” those for whom he has a soft spot. Mr. Cohen has a command of the stage any actor would envy.
Going toe-to-toe with Mr. Cohen is Rick Grant as Joey. Joey is a character from the same beginnings as Denny and is no saint himself but has made some changes and is keeping an open mind. Mr. Grant’s handle on the complicated emotional journey his character takes is nothing short of excellent, balancing admittance of his flaws with acceptance of the facts as they are. It is a privilege to see how he embodies a character with perceived ease.
The chemistry between Mr. Cohen and Mr. Grant is the thing of which dream casts are made. Each masters the fine line between evoking sympathy for an unsympathetic act and truly hitting home that they are not always good guys. Thus, together these two actors are an untouchable team; they make it easy to believe everything they are telling you even when you know you should not. Bravo to two fine artists!.
I am a sucker for a show which has universal appeal. On the face of it, how many people can relate directly to being a cop in the not-so-hot spots of Chicago? But a good play isn’t just about that: it is about the shared emotions and struggles and even laughs to which anyone can relate. This one is no exception. In short, A Steady Rain is an emotional journey – but it is worth every moment.
A Steady Rain presented by Beechmont Players runs now through November 8th at Gabriel’s Corner in OTR. Run time is approximately 90 mins with no intermission.
For more information about the show, please visit this site.
Beechmont Players is excited to announce auditions for CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, directed by Arlene Balczo and produced by Mary Jo Bissmeyer. The show will run May 15–23, 2026 at The Anderson Center.
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 