VWCT prepares production of ‘Cuckoo’

DOUG GROOMS/for The Van Wert independent

Ken Kesey’s novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was first published in 1962. Adapted for the stage by Dale Wasserman, it premiered on Broadway in 1963 with Kirk Douglas in the leading role as Randle McMurphy. In 1975, the novel was adapted once again; this time for the big screen with the role of McMurphy handed to Jack Nicholson.

When first published, the novel quickly became a best seller – finding its largest audience among the growing counter-culture of the early sixties era. To this day, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is often included on lists of the best American literature of the 20^th Century. Some have called it the greatest anti-authority protest novel of the 20th century. The Author, Ken Kesey followed the fame of this, his first novel, by earning his own, some would say infamy, as a highly prominent “hippie” until his death in 2011. Kesey’s inspiration for writing One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest came from his time during his college years spent working as a night aide in a mental ward of a veteran’s hospital in Oregon.

When One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest premiered as a movie in 1975, it won the “Big Five” Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Actor (Jack Nicholson), Best Actress (Louise Fletcher), Best Director (Milos Forman), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Lawrence Hauben, Bo Goldman)). Kesey, interestingly, ended his association with the movie very early in its production claiming disagreements about his compensation, the lack of focus on Chief Bromden’s perspective and the selection of Jack Nicholson to play the lead role. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest often finds its way onto lists of the 100 best movies of all times.

When it premiered as a Broadway play in New York City, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest only ran for 83 performances. A revival in 2001, however, succeeded in winning the Tony Award for Best Play Revival. It is rumored that another Broadway revival is in the works for this year. Of all of its three incarnations, the stage play is often credited as presenting the best ensemble of characters, themes and story. The novel presented Chief Bromden’s perspective and the movie was a star turn for Jack Nicholson as McMurphy. The result of this ensemble quality of the play is a very emotionally stirring theatre event.

In the play, Randal McMurphy, a shady con man, nearing the end of his jail sentence for statutory rape, is transferred to a mental institution to be evaluated. Although no outward signs of mental illness are apparent, he hopes to avoid hard labor and finish the rest of his sentence in a more comfortable hospital environment. McMurphy’s unwillingness to comply and his compassion for his fellow patients makes him a prime target for the icy Nurse Ratched, who rules the ward with an iron will.

The constant power struggles between McMurphy and the nurse will have life changing consequences for everyone.

With at least 70 shows on his resume, Jack Paullus has eagerly stepped up to direct Van Wert Civic Theatre’s production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, which he says is his favorite play. Speaking to his cast, Paullus challenges the players to make this show better than good. “I want it to be excellent,” exclaims Paullus.

The cast of 17 is comprised of performers from Van Wert, as well as surrounding communities as far flung as Celina, Lima and Findlay. Many are seasoned players, while, for others, this will be their first time on the stage. The cast includes: Steve Lane (Randle McMurphy), Kedryn Carpenter (Nurse Ratched), Doug Grooms (Chief Bromden), Jim Toth (Dale Harding), Chris Buttruff (Billy Bibbit), Dave Ricker (Scanlon), Joe Maurer (Cheswick), Chad Kraner (Ruckly), Len Archibald (Aide Warren), Rick Workman (Martini), Jim O’Neil (Dr. Spivey), Jewell Kurtz (Candy Starr), Jessica Archibald (Sandy), Everett Collier (Aide Turkle), Sara Ricker (Nurse Flinn), Anner Diaz (Aide Williams), and Luther Cox (Technician).

During rehearsals, members of the cast have remarked that there seems to be a sense that this is a sad show. Given the almost constant laughter on stage, however, it is clear that this is a very funny show.

“It is as funny as all get out and just as powerful,” says Jewell Kurtz.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is not a show about a Sunday School class. The story is set in a locked mental institution with a cast of characters drawn from many walks of life. Given the characters, story and setting, it is a given that the language used might best be described as being salty. “In the past, our typical Van Wert audiences have expressed sensitivity to vulgar language on stage,” explained Paullus to the cast during early read-throughs of the script. Therefore, some of the vocabulary has been softened. It would have been impossible, however, to eliminate all of the so-called bad words and maintain the authenticity and believability of the characters and setting. Additionally, the situations and themes portrayed in this show are certainly of adult nature. Without a doubt, this show should be rated PG-13.

“We’ve got a marvelous play,” remarks Paullus. “We’ll make you laugh. We’ll make you cry.” The author of the novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Ken Kesey, felt it was important for audiences to remember that although this show is set in a mental hospital, it is as much a story about a mental hospital as Moby Dick is a story about a boat. Kesey defends that he never intended to treat the subject of mental health as a whole with any disrespect or irresponsibility but he reminds us that, “it can never be as bad in fiction as it is in real life.” The show does not necessarily have a happy ending with Good triumphantly winning out over Evil. Without spoiling the ending, the story concludes with the powers-that-be still in control but the final message is still one of hope. The mental and spiritual growth that is displayed on the stage shows the audience that no matter the cost, one must still struggle against oppression, conformity and totalitarianism. Crazy stuff.

Performance Dates for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest are March 22-25 and March 29-April 1. Evening performances begin at 8 and Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. Individual tickets at the box office are generally available for all performances. All seats sold at the door are $9. To guarantee the availability of seats, reservations for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest can be made beginning Monday, March 19. Box Office hours are from 2 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and on Saturdays when there is a performance. Call 419.238.9689.