The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, February 06, 1997, Page 13, Image 13
Classic play changes with times Cast, crew members deal with preconceived notions from audience ByLizaHoltmeier Staff Reporter This weekend, the Lincoln Com munity Playhouse will present the opening of a classic story about man’s struggle against conformity and the need to liberate individuality. The play, “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” by David Wasserman, opens Friday at 7:30 p.m. The play is based on the novel by Ken Kesey. Though the first production of the play opened in New York to poor re views, it has since been successful as an off-Broadway production and a movie. The film version, starring Jack Nicholson, won five Academy Awards in 1976. The play deals with the conflicts between patients in a mental hospital and the hospital’s staff. The plot re i volves around the characters of Nurse Ratched, played by MarthaEUen Flo rence, and Randle P. McMurphy, played by Joel Story. Because the play is well-known and deals with universal themes, the cast and crew have been confronted with the knowledge that the audience will have preconceived notions about the play. “In the description of Nurse Ratched in the script, it said fair skinned, blond hair and blue eyes,” Florence said. “As an African-Ameri can, I had to translate that in my own mind and get comfortable with what I look like, and what the audience is going to expect Nurse Ratched to look like.” Story added the play can seem dated because many of the things that McMurphy stands for are sexist and chauvinistic. To update the play, he said that director Robin McKercher tried to emphasize the question, “How does society decide who is crazy?” “The staff have as many idiosyn crasies as the patients,” Story said. “It’s just that society has deemed the patients undesirable and not the staff.” The play also remains fresh be cause, though the idea of man versus conformity is fairly common, the char acters are not. Various cast members said they were drawn to the play be cause of the challenging parts. “Chief Bromden is one of the most pinnacle Indian characters in modem plays,” said Matthew L. Jones, who plays Bromden. “It’s a challenging role because there are such peaks and valleys to this character who, at the beginning of the play, is perceived to be a deaf, dumb mute.” Of her character, Florence said, “Automatically when you think of Nurse Ratched, you think she’s just mean and evil and vicious, but there’s another side to her. She feeis she’s doing something good for herself and the patients.” Overall, the rehearsals for the show have been an enjoyable experience for both seasoned Playhouse performers and beginners. “Many of the people in the show do Lincoln Community Playhouse all the time,” Florence said. “They’re used to the director, the stage and how the playhouse works, and their level of professionalism is amazing.” The show runs Friday through Sunday, and continues Feb. 13-16 and 20-23. Curtain times are ,7:30 pjn. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Sundays and Feb. 23 will have 2 p.m. show times, and the curtain will rise at 7 p.m. on Feb 16. Ticket prices are $ 18 for adults and $7 for students on Thursdays and Sun days, and $20 for adults and $8 for students on Fridays and Saturdays. Those interested in tickets or more information can call the box office at 489-7529. gy L MAD MIKE'S J E TACO BAR | |all you need to do is buy a regular priced- - t- PITCHER OF BEER AND YOU EAT TACOS FREEH ~jl *71 I1*-i ^ * i - fl-* j V- tj~V~ iiurf- ^rt « |jN n.r*" ij* i y*" in ^jT** ’ ___ Jolly Handier Screw Driver i *«• \&LL 1 i DRINKS 1 J EVERY THURSDAY | 7 TO 11 PJi. E One ' Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest Stirring Comic-Drama! . V' : % j;