‘Cuckoo’s Nest’ called a ‘must-see’ event

BARB THOMPSON/for the Van Wert independent

Wednesday evening, at the final curtain of the dress rehearsal for One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, I found myself in such a state of theatrical euphoria, I had to take a few minutes to gather my wits before rising from my seat. To put it in today’s jargon, “It blew my mind!”

It was Van Wert Civic Theatre’s first spring production and, to put it mildly, it was a show of shows from a theatrical group that has a history of excellence.

I found myself repeatedly comparing what was happening in front of me to a much-looked-forward-to extravagant meal!  And of course, in both scenarios, the most important participants are the chef, the choice of ingredients and extra additives, plus the lasting taste following the last bite.

In Dee Fisher’s Arts & Entertainment column Wednesday, she spoke enthusiastically about her theatre years with Director Jack Paullus, along with his admitting that Cuckoo’s Nest has always been his favorite play. She also listed the cast members and honestly, I could actually do a separate review on each of them. They warrant it!

I learned that one cast member, Rick Workman, is a former judge, while another, Dr. Jim O’Neill, who is Dr. Spivey at the Cuckoo’s Nest, currently is an orthopedic surgeon in Lima.

I spoke with Dr. Jim afterwards and he enlightened me with the fact that the beautiful solo music that plays during intermission is the offering of his daughter, Shannon O’Neill, who was a runner-up in the 2010 Miss Ohio Pageant and won the talent competition. Her singing, alone, is reason enough to be a member of the audience.

Another cast member, Len Archibald of Rockford, is founder and executive director of the Northwest Ohio Film Festival to be held this year, July 6-8, at the Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center in Lima.  His wife, Jessica, has her first-ever part (she told me) in Cuckoo’s Nest and appears at the very end as Sandy.  Len portrays a medical aide.

I could literally talk at length about each of the 17-member cast.  Their performances as patients in the mental health facility (Cuckoo’s Nest) are so believable, I actually found it difficult to accept, at times, that they weren’t mentally challenged.

Steve Lane, who occupies the lead role of McMurphy, reigns from the time his feet first hit the stage. There’s much, much drama surrounding this guy, from beginning to final scene.  We learn early that McMurphy has faked his psychosis in order to avoid the intense labor involved at a work farm.

My friend, Chad Kraner of Lincolnview, is in every scene as Ruckly, but utters no more than three or four words total. The play, however, would lose impact if he weren’t present; he can almost be called “a permanent fixture.”

Kedryn Carpenter as Nurse Ratched (referred to as “a human radio”) and Doug Grooms as “deaf and dumb” Indian Chief Bromden, who has endured 200-plus shock treatments, are unforgettable fixtures in almost every scene.  They ably take command of their circumstances, regardless, making them both major ingredients in the mix!

All scenes take place in the mental hospital’s Day Room, where daily therapy sessions are held.  We learn of individual maladjustments, such as a dominating-mother problem, and can observe a variety of physical quirks, all so professionally practiced (during a basketball practice session, be sure to check out the “basket.”)

This play has something for every individual, regardless of theatrical preferences. Vantage Career Center was represented Wednesday evening by one of its psychology classes (15 students) and they indicated that other psych majors would be attending later.

Lots of laughs, which ably sweetened my make-believe meal, but some serious side steps also, which reminded me of the chef’s (director’s) influence.  Chef Paullus admitted that he had to soften the original language of the play, as it can get overly rough in places.

All of the theatre crews are to be praised — makeup, costumes, sound and light, props, set and special effects … you name it, they outdid themselves this time and the outcome is so obvious!

My final recommendation is simply, “don’t miss it!”  Local theatre has never been better and you’ll wind up the evening so proud that we live in Van Wert where our Civic Theatre has provided 53 years of live performances, and this is one of the best!

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest will also be presented tonight and tomorrow (Saturday) both at 8 p.m., with a Sunday afternoon matinee at 2 p.m.  Next week, four more performances will be staged — again on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, plus a second Sunday matinee.  I urge everyone to reserve tickets now, just $10, as it’s a “spring must-see!”