ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST Plays South Bend Civic Theatre, Now thru 4/21

South Bend Civic Theatre enters the loony bin with the Studio drama One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest tonight, April 12-21.

One sane man, sentenced to a mental hospital to avoid prison, inspires his fellow inmates as he rebels against the rigid authority of the tyrannical head nurse. In the intimate confines of the Warner Studio, a moving, funny, and powerful story that breaks the bonds of madness and conformity. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest was written by Dale Wasserman from the influential novel by Ken Kesey.

Director Terry Farren runs the asylum with inmates Matt Allen, Vincent Bilancio, Lisa Blodgett, Aaron Bucha, Benjamin Cass, Steven Cole, Megan Corey, Joyce Dudley, Kevin Egelsky, Bill Frascella, Melissa Gard, Michael Hab, Craig Kilgore, Phil Kwiecinski, Paul McDowell, Doug Ramp, Clara Ross, Dominic Simeri, and David Smith.

First published as a novel in 1962, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest was an outgrowth of author Ken Kesey's experiences working a graveyard shift in a mental ward. The book (named as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential books of the 20^th century) was subsequently adapted for the stage by Dale Wasserman in 1963, starring Kirk Douglas and Gene Wilder. Douglas maintained the film rights for many years but was unable to interest studios. Eventually, his son Michael Douglas took over the rights and in 1975 produced the award-winning film directed by Milos Forman and starring Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher. A revival starring Gary Sinise and Amy Morton originated at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre and transferred to Broadway in 2001.

South Bend Civic Theatre's production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest opens in the Warner Studio Theatre tonight, April 12 and runs through April 21. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM ($18), Sundays at 3:00 ($18), Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 PM ($15). Call 574-234-1112 or go online at www.sbct.org for tickets.