Ken Kesey’s immortal character, con-man turned convict Randle Patrick McMurphy is a portrait of rebellion and individuality.
In the 1962 novel “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” McMurphy claims insanity in order to be transfered to a mental institution, in search of creature comforts. What he finds is a rallying ground for a group of stark individuals which he bolsters, and supports in taking a stance against authority — more specifically Nurse Mildred Ratched head of the asylum.
Hailed as a literary masterpiece, the book was an inspiration to a generation that began to challenge the authority and social norms of the late 1950s and early ‘60s.
Now, the adapted stage version of the story is challenging the norm at the Western Washington Center for the Arts.
“This type of venue is not something (audiences) will have seen before at Western Washington Center for the Arts,” said director Derek Niegemann — in his first directing role at WWCA. “This is a departure for them.”
Known for its repertoire of musical productions, the WWCA’s first production of 2007 could be viewed as somewhat of a risk in terms of content, however, its cast roster hosts decades of experience.
The lead roles of McMurphy and Nurse Ratched are played by Christopher Ward and Pavlina Morris.
Ward is just returning to the Western Washington theatre scene after working in a variety of independent films over the past two years, while Morris is an actor, director, producer, playwright, technician, designer, stage manager, choreographer, and administrator of 25 years and is also the founder of Bremerton’s Changing Scenes Theatre.
“Everyone is perfectly cast within the show … it’s very much an ensemble effort,” Niegemann said. “People always think of McMurphy and Nurse Ratched as the core of the show, but actually it’s all the supporting cast which is what makes it.”
The story is laden with skirmishes between the zealous hero and the iron-fisted Ratched, while the cast of inmates surrounding the struggle are transformed in the ensuing chaos.
Dray Young — in his first WWCA production — and Riley Abel — in what will likely be his last — play the roles of two of McMurphy’s fellow-inmates Chief Bromden and Billy Bibbit. Also new to the WWCA stage, Cynthia Collier is playing the secondary Nurse Flinn.
Bromden — an enormous Native American man who pretends to be deaf and mute for personal security — has one of the most symbolic roles in the story as the rogue McMurphy insinuates a small-scale revolution of minds.
“With good insight into personalities, it’s almost a battle of wills between two of the central characters and how the protagonist manages to bring a group of socially and emotionally damaged people together,” Niegemann said.
The onstage production of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” debuted in 1964 on Broadway. In 1975, audiences went cuckoo for the screen version, which garnered five top Oscars, including a long overdue Best Actor for Jack Nicholson, whose portrayal of McMurphy set the standard against which all others tackling the complex role are judged against.
It premiered at WWCA Feb. 9 and will be running on weekends through March 11. Showtimes and ticket prices can be found online at www.wwca.us or by calling the WWCA box office at (360) 769-SHOW.
