One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Meadville Community Theatre is thrilled to present the third show of their 52nd season, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” adapted for the stage by Dale Wasserman and based on the 1962 novel by Ken Kesey.  Directed by Katie Wickert, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” tells the story of institutional madness where obedience and conformity are the only acceptable indications of good mental health. Randle P. McMurphy, a charming rogue, contrives to serve a short sentence in an airy mental institution rather than in a prison. This, he learns, was a mistake. He clashes with Nurse Ratched, a manipulative and fierce martinet. He quickly 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 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 chippies. When these acts are not tolerated, McMurphy learns the authorities and Nurse Ratched have terrible ways of enabling conformity. Based on Ken Kesey’s 1962 novel of the same name, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a powerful exploration of the beauty and the danger of being an original.