One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Sorenson Center for the Arts, Babson College,  Park Manor South Wellesley, MA.  (781-237-8114) http://www.wellesleyplayers.org/  Nov 19 & 20 @ 8pm, Nov 21 @ 2pm, Adult: $19; Senior/Student: $17.

The Wellesley Players present the stage version based on the novel of the same title (and made into the famous film later).  One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a story of several inmates of a northwestern mental institution, and their opportunities to overcome their disabilities and free themselves of their heavy psychological burdens. Primarily, we see a charming rogue who contrives to serve a short sentence in the airy institution rather than on a work farm. He clashes with the head nurse, but befriends his fellow in-mates, accomplishing with them what the medical profession has never been able to do. He makes a presumed deaf and dumb Indian speak and regain his inner pride, and leads the others out of introversion. This leads to a revolt on the floor - first so that they can do something as simple as watching the World Series on television, then progressing to a rollicking midnight party with liquor and chippies. The head nurse is not one to stand for rebellion, or for anyone compromising her authority, and does her utmost (and beyond) to keep order in the ward.

A play with strong language and adult situations, this production is recommended for audiences sixteen and up (Rated R).