One Flew Over the
Cuckoo's Nest

by Megan Salfrank — Panther Press

On Feb. 25-28, the York College Theatre Department is performing Dale Wasserman’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” in Gurganus Hall. Thursday through Saturday the performance will begin at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday performance begins at 2 p.m.

The play is a comedic drama about a man who serves time in a mental institution rather than prison.

“The play is a ‘dramady’” said director John Baker. “Its dramatic comedy.  There’s a lot of drama in it, but it’s also funny. People who want to see a comedy, it’s there, but there’s also drama to make you feel,” said Baker. “The basketball game is hilarious. The baseball game scene is powerful, and McMurphy interacting with all the patients is really fun too.”

The play itself poses new problems for the experienced director. The original play contains foul language that had to be cut out, but the writer does give the right to those performing the play to take out the foul language.

 “Being a Christian stage, the audience doesn’t expect to hear those words, so we’ve had to adjust,” Baker said.

But the language is not the only obstacle to overcome in this play. The actors have hard roles to portray, so Baker took the cast to St. Joseph, MO, to the Glore Psychiatric Museum. The trip was taken to help the actors better understand the roles they are playing and also to learn about treatments used in the past such as lobotomy and electric shock, as well as modern treatments still in use.   

“I understand that lobotomy is illegal now,” says Baker, who adds:  “Probably a good law.”

Despite the challenges that come with the production, there are positives to be found as well.

“[I love] the interaction with the students, the fun I have with helping them develop their theatrical abilities,” said Baker. “It’s fun bringing a character that is in a mental institution [to life] that’s challenging [as a director].”

Altogether, a total of around 170 hours have been put into the production of this play. Baker estimates 90 hours of rehearsal, 30-40 hours for set construction, and 40 hours in addition to that for finding props, blocking scenes, and other needed tasks.

 “It’s an incredible show—there are shows that need to be done,” Baker said. “It’s fun to do incredible drama.”

Tickets can be reserved by calling 402-363-5641. Ticket prices are
Adults - $6
Seniors / Students - $4.