Kesey’s counter-cultural story is considered one of the best anti-authoritarian novels of the 20th century, according to the Cardinal press release.
The story is about a convict named R.P. McMurphy who fakes insanity and is admitted to a mental institution.
At the institution, he inspires rebellion among the inmates and faces conflict with the authoritarian Nurse Ratched.
According to the release, the production features local favorites Mike Price and Constance Macy in the lead roles.
The cast ranges from Cardinal veterans to newcomers.
The production also includes Toronto-based actor Jeremy Proulx.
He will play the role of Chief Bromden in his Cardinal debut, according to the release.
Proulx was awarded BroadwayWorld.com’s best actor award for the same role in Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre production.
The production features “a terribly strong cast-one of the best we’ve had, “Cardinal artistic director Randy White said in the release. “The potential for this cast is extraordinary.”
Wasserman’s adaptation of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” first appeared on Broadway in 1963, featuring actors Kirk Douglas and Gene Wilder.
It was also adapted into an Academy Award winning film directed by Milos Foreman and starring Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher.
“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” is “one of those remarkable American stories that pits a gang of misfits against an unbending authority,” White said in the release.
“The results are complicated and while I don’t always agree with Kesey’s point of view, it’s fascinating trying to figure out where my sympathies lie in this particular story. And that makes for exciting story-telling and great theatre!”
The production runs from Feb. 12 to Feb. 28 at the Ivy Tech John Waldron Auditorium.
Tickets range from $12.95 to $18.95 for students and $24.95 to $31.95 for adults.
Tickets are available at the box office or online at cardinalstage.org.
Brooke McAfee
