Death, drugs and drama make for a meaty stew in Richard Evan’s latest film, “Shadow of Rain.”

The Whidbey Island filmmaker will give viewers a taste of his new cinematic effort during two screenings next week at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts at 7 and 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 31.

Here is yet another example of an artist who, inspired by life on Whidbey Island, turns out art for local audiences before sending it out into the wide world.

“Shadow of Rain” traces the travails of Riley, an aspiring actress from Seattle who tries to escape the clutches of her down-and-out musician husband after the death of their child hurls him into a spiraling frenzy of drug addiction and domestic violence.

With the help of a girlfriend, she finds respite on a nearby island that places her in the midst of a steady stream of colorful local characters.

On the island she finds solace in a borrowed cabin situated in a bucolic paradise that neighbors two eccentric older gentleman. The pair maintain a humble yet oddball existence and take Riley under their wing.

Riley’s husband mysteriously disappears and is presumed dead. She is suddenly thrust into what “The Great Santini” writer/director John Lewis Carlino calls “a fascinating stream-of-conscious mosaic of lives adrift in a sea of memories and events. The story takes the viewer on an existential journey of spirit, in which destinations remain unalterably elusive; each life an island lost in the great mother sea of life.”

Like Evans’ last and very different movie, “Harry Monument,” the new film is written, produced and directed by the moviemaker with a cast made up largely of island residents. The music is also composed and performed by islanders, and the production team and crew also hail from Whidbey. Like a good chef, Evans said he has always believed in working with local ingredients — easy to do with the enormous talent of writers, actors, musicians and technicians within reach.

“Without the enormous support of our artistic community, both on and off-screen, this film would never have been made,” said Evans.

“We still live in an age where bigger is equated with better. Not always true,” Evans added. He noted that some of the greatest films ever made were not large-scale productions, and named Fellini’s “La Strada” and Orson Welles’ “Touch of Evil” as two of his favorite examples.

Evans’ was a professional actor before turning to writing and directing. His resume includes major roles in feature films like “Dirty Little Billy,” and “Islands in the Stream,” as well as acting the part of Angelo, one of the sweeter characters in “Shadow of Rain.”

He also made a substantial career for himself in television, appearing in more than 200 episodes of shows like “Gunsmoke,” “Star Trek,” “Lou Grant,” “Perry Mason” and “The Mod Squad,” and had a continuing role in the original classic series “Peyton Place.”

“Shadow of Rain” is a cinematic love song to the Northwest and to Whidbey Island in particular. Locals will be tickled with flattering shots of the Star Store, the Dog House Tavern and 3Cats Cafe, among other endearing locations. They will also recognize the familiar idiosyncrasies of island folk such as the Greek-like chorus of tavern regulars, boat men and lovely elderly islanders. The film also showcases performances of local musicians, serendipitous wildlife, sweeping views of island vistas and occasional fields strewn with either junked cars or farm animals.

The talented cast is led by Cynthia Campbell as Riley and Dave Draper as Frank, with a bevy of familiar island faces rounding out the cast.

The original musical score is by locals Tom Hoeflich, Jack Knauer, Michael Licastro, Eli Moore and Jennifer Todd. Todd also performs the closing song, “Get It Right This Time.”

Fredde Butterworth is the sound designer and associate producer, with Bill Ruth doing the camera and lighting work.

Some who have already seen the film have given it a hearty thumbs up.

“Five minutes into “Shadow of Rain” I was totally hooked,” said Jason Dittmer of Whidbey Island Center for the Arts.

All seats for the two screenings of “Shadow of Rain” are $10 at the door only at 6 p.m. and before the second screening. No advance ticket sales. The film is intended for mature audiences only.

Call WICA at 221-8268 or visit www.WICAonline.com for more info.