Act I
The train station of a drought-stricken Western town – early morning, and it’s “Gonna Be Another Hot Day.” Jimmie Curry (Scooter Teague) rushes in, expecting his sister Lizzie (Inga Swenson) on the morning train (“Lizzie’s Comin’ Home”). He is joined by older brother Noah (Steve Roland) and father H.C. (Will Geer). Lizzie arrives, confesses that “the trip didn’t work.” She met lots of eligible men, but … Her menfolk decide to try another plan; they’ll invite Sheriff File (Stephen Douglass), the town’s most eligible bachelor, to the annual picnic. Lizzie imagines how it might be if it all worked out (“Love, Don’t Turn Away”).

In File’s office, the Curry men sing “Poker Polka” trying to lure the sheriff to the picnic. He refuses. Meanwhile, at the park, Lizzie, expecting File, joins in the picnic preparations (“Hungry Men”). Discovering the truth, she is angry and hurt. Out of nowhere, the fabulous Starbuck (Robert Horton) suddenly appears, announcing that he’s a Rainmaker! (“Rain Song”)

Alone, Lizzie calls Starbuck a fake and he in turn tells her that she is not really a woman (“You’re Not Foolin’ Me”). Lizzie turns to her father for comfort. In fantasy, she imagines herself a wicked woman of the world (“Raunchy”). Suddenly, File arrives at the picnic. He confesses to Lizzie that he is not a widower, as he has been saying, but a divorced man. He sings of the heartbreak that can come to “A Man and a Woman.” Lizzie answers by singing of the bright side of marriage, but File is unconvinced. Lizzie calls him a fool, and is immediately sorry – but it’s too late. File – and her last chance – is gone. Noah calls Lizzie “plain” and tells her she’ll have to face the future as an old maid. Lizzie runs off and tries to reconcile herself to being an “Old Maid.”

Act II
The picnic pavilion. The townspeople dance and celebrate (“Everything Beautiful Happens at Night”). Lizzie goes to Starbuck’s wagon. He tries to persuade her to adopt a marvelous name and a dream to go with it (“Melisande”). No, she explains, her dreams are all of “Simple Little Things.” Starbuck tries to convince her that she is pretty: someday she’ll see it in the eyes of the man who loves her. Starbuck kisses her.

Elsewhere, Jimmie and girlfriend Snookie (Lesley Warren) explain in song and dance just how he, Jimmie, won her favors (“Little Red Hat”).

Meanwhile, Lizzie, in the arms of Starbuck, sings “Is It Really Me?” Starbuck confesses that he is a con man and a fake – he has never made rain in his life. Just when he has decided to stay with Lizzie and try living in the real world, File appears with a warrant for Starbuck’s arrest. But File is persuaded by all to let Starbuck get away. Starbuck begs Lizzie to flee with him. File, realizing at last that he loves her, asks her to stay with him (“Wonderful Music”). Lizzie decides to stay with File. Suddenly, miracle of miracles, the rains come! The long drought is over! (Finale)