Theater review part deux: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

by John Mallory Land of North Dallas Gazette

Contemporary Theatre of Dallas’ current rendition of One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, adapted in 1963 by Dale Wasserman from Ken Kesey’s 1962 novel, aims to redefine the dynamic fixed in our minds by the landmark film version, starring Jack Nicholson. Chief Bromden (Jim Johnson) introduces us to life on the mental ward: ordered, regimented, controlled. Into this world walks new patient Randle P. McMurphy (Mark Nutter), feigning mental illness to dodge work on the prison farm. His vibrant personality and rebellious attitude immediately begin to shake up the staid, dour atmosphere on the ward, even before he launches into a conscious effort to buck the system.

When this impulse leads to the inevitable butting of heads with Nurse Rached (Sue Loncar), McMurphy bets his fellow patients that he can “pull her plug,” and the course is set. He pushes her buttons with some success, until he learns that she can decide how long he stays - perhaps forever. He discovers that even his attempts to cooperate with the system put him at odds with Rached, however, as he is swept toward an ultimate confrontation that will affect them both profoundly.

Under the innovative direction of Marianne Galloway, this staging offers a fresh take on the relationship and its fallout. With charisma and a seemingly sane quality, Mark Nutter makes McMurphy quite sympathetic. Sue Loncar brings a creditable portrayal of Nurse Rached, giving her a decidedly maternal, rather than cruel, motivation. Hence, our loyalties feel somewhat divided between the two characters.

Randy Pearlman stands out as Dale Harding, the de facto (if reluctant) leader among the patients. Billy Bibbit, a shy, self-conscious young man, is played deftly by Andrews Cope, who makes the character real and compellingly sympathetic. Because the actors portraying the other patients - Scanlon (Ryan Martin), Cheswick (Nye Cooper), Martini (Andrew Borgeois), and Ruckly (Bubby Selah) - seem to enjoy exploring their characters’ idiosyncrasies, we can enjoy them too, although some of the obvious humor here does not help set the foundation for the more serious cataclysm to come.

Overall, the able cast, including taunting aides Warren (Ben Bryant) and Williams (Brian Witkovitz) work well as an ensemble and go far to make the extremes of this world seem plausible. The set, designed by Clare DeVries, convincingly evokes a sense of drab confinement during the mid-twentieth century. This fly by a classic provides a unique perspective and a wild ride.