Silver Spring Stage Presents One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Silver Spring Stage presents One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest adapted by Dale Wasserman from Ken Kesey's novel, directed by Bob Benn and produced by Seth Ghitelman, the sharp and thrilling study of the institutional process and the human mind. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest will perform weekends June 24 to July 23. Please note there are no performances July 4th weekend.

Silver Spring Stage is located in the Woodmoor Shopping Center, lower level (next to the CVS) at Colesville Road and University Boulevard. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $18 for seniors/students. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sundays on July 10 and July 17 at 2:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased at www.ssstage.org. Information is also available by calling (301) 593-6036.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is the ultimate rebellion play. It is the inspiration of Ken Kesey who was a rebel himself who said "I was too young to be a beatnik, and too old to be a hippie," but served as a link between the two. There's a good deal of Ken Kesey in the hero Randle McMurphy. Kesey took part in a study on psychedelic drugs, namely LSD, and experimented with others. He worked at the night shift of a mental health facility, interviewing patients and witnessing the workings of the institution and poured that experience into One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Later with his friends, he formed the Merry Pranksters and they drove across country in a bus called "Further". Dale Wasserman adapted the novel for the stage in 1963 with Kirk Douglas and Gene Wilder in the cast. It was made into the Academy Award winning film in 1975. A revival in 2001 won a Tony Award for Best Play Revival. The title is from a nursery rhyme "Three geese in a flock, one flew East, one flew West, and one flew over the cuckoo's nest." A cuckoo's nest is slang for a mental asylum while a mentally ill person can be called "cuckoo". McMurphy, the free spirit, pushes boundaries and plans his escape -- "to fly over the cuckoo's nest" -- and rouses his fellow patients evoking the wrath of Nurse Ratched. There is no confusing the good guys (child-like patients) with the bad ones (rule-enforcing nurse and staff). It is the driving life-force of McMurphy and his motivating his fellow patients that draw audiences to this powerful play. Nearly 50 years since its first publication, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Neststill entertains and inspires the rebel in all of us.
Randle McMurphy (William Cassidy) is a charming rogue who contrives to serve a short sentence in an airy mental institution rather in a prison. He learns that this was a mistake. He clashes with head nurse Ratched (Natalie McManus). Quickly, he takes over the yard and accomplishes what the medical profession has been unable to do for twelve years; he makes a presumed deaf and dumb Indian Chief Bromden (Andrew Greenleaf) talk. He leads others out of introversion, stages a revolt so that they can see the world series on television, and arranges a rollicking midnight party with liquor and ladies of the evening. This leads to a final gripping showdown in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest between McMurphy and Ratched that is not to be missed.

The other patients are Dale Harding (Sheldon Reiffenstein), Billy Bibbit (Conor Scanlan), Scanlon (Eric Small), Martini (Mario Font), Charles Cheswick (Dave Gross) and Ruckley (Jason Damaso). The other staff persons are Dr. Spivey (Jonathan Dyer), Nurse Flinn (Lauren Tobiason), Aide Warren (Michael Sachs) and Aide Williams (Wies Valen). The party visitors are Candy Starr (Jung Weil) and Sandra (Diana Hutter).

The production team includes Alika Codispoti (Stage Manager), Bob Benn (Production Design), Michael House (Sound Design), Bob Scott (Light Design), Helen Bard Sobola (Props/Set Dressing), and HArlene Leahy (Costumes).

Silver Spring Stage is excited to present its 2011-2012 season: One Act Festival (Aug. 18-Sept. 4), hilarious romance Based on a Totally True Story (Sept. 16-Oct. 8), funny crazy The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Oct. 28-Nov. 19), family holiday favorite A Christmas Carol (Dec. 9-Dec. 18), imaginative comedy Dead Man's Cellphone (Jan. 13-Feb. 4), thrilling mystery Hapgood (Feb. 24-Mar. 16), frothy delight Enchanted April (Apr. 13-May 5), shocking tragedy The Beauty Queen of Leenane (May 18-June 9), and compelling drama Stop Kiss (June 29-July 21).

About Silver Spring Stage
Silver Spring Stage has provided quality, affordable theatre for over 40 years. We are an all-volunteer, non- profit organization and appreciate any contribution to enable us to offer excellent and entertaining productions. Thank you for your interest and support of Silver Spring Stage. All programs at Silver Spring Stage are made possible in part by grants from the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County and the Maryland State Arts Council.

Website: http://www.ssstage.org

 

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