Review: WHS drama department performs ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’
- Charity Fitch
- Aug 9, 2023
- 3 min read
Chief Bromden, played by junior Zach Pearrow, stands in the middle of a dark stage as milky red and purple light patterns writhe across the stage. Nurses wrap around him and sing, “Wire, brier, limber lock, three geese in a flock, one flew east, one flew west, one flew over the cuckoo’s nest.”
The Waxahachie High School drama department’s production of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” was full of both laughter and suspense during its Oct. 20-23 run. The story follows Randle McMurphy, played by junior Noah Elsom, as he is admitted to a male mental institution and leads a rebellion against head Nurse Ratched, played by junior Isa Alcala. The play is written by Dale Wasserman and is based on the novel by Ken Kesey. It was directed by WHS head director Andy Reynolds.
Set in the 1960s, the play introduces the audience to the patients of the institution, each having their own quirks.
After meeting all the patients, McMurphy soon realizes that Nurse Ratched runs the place with harsh precision and shames patients into submission. He pushes them to stand up to her, but they are too frightened.
McMurphy bets he can drive her crazy by the end of seven days. He begins to push her buttons while bringing hope and life into the institution. The other patients are inspired to make changes as well.
Together, they vote to watch the World Series, with Chief being the final vote they needed for a majority. The TV is turned on, and Nurse Ratched walks over and unplugs it, reminding them the meeting was closed.
As the other patients shuffle away, McMurphy begins to shout and announce the game even though the television remains off. They return and begin to cheer and whoop as if they truly were watching the baseball game. The lights fade down as Nurse Ratched makes her way to center stage, where red lights shine on her as she smiles wickedly, ending Act 1.
Act 2 opens with a cheerful and energetic basketball game between inmates. McMurphy learns that Nurse Ratched has the power to keep him at the institution until she sees fit, and he backs off on his rebellion, defeated.
McMurphy learns of Chief’s Papa, and Chief asks him if he’s going to give up on helping make him big again. McMurphy says he’s grown half a foot already.
“How can I be big if you ain’t? How can anybody?” Chief asks.
During a meeting, Nurse Ratched informs the patients that Chief will now be participating in the meetings, starting with an apology. A fight outbreaks as McMurphy defends Chief against Aide Warren, played by Aiden Alverson.
Following the fight, McMurphy and Chief both receive electroshock therapy.
McMurphy hosts a party for the inmates, and Candy, played by Angela Presser, and Sandra, played by Abriella Martin, bring drinks for everybody. Dancing and cheering outbreaks, and Billy Bibbit, played by Sam Hanna, and Candy go into the Seclusion Room.
Nurse Ratched and her staff discover the inmates’ party, and when Billy is confronted with consequences of his actions, he kills himself. McMurphy, outraged and heartbroken, launches himself at Nurse Ratched. He is taken and receives a lobotomy.
When McMurphy is wheeled out after his lobotomy, it is obvious he is a different man – quiet, calm and unaware. In one last show of power, Nurse Ratched leans over and kisses him before she walks away.
The camaraderie and companionship between McMurphy and the rest of the patients is apparent as they see him and try to convince themselves he’s all right. Their cheerful voices turn downcast, though, as they shuffle away.
Chief Bromden smothers McMurphy with a pillow to save him from his lifeless fate. He pulls out the electric control panel, proving what McMurphy told him all along – he was still big, throws it it through the window and escapes the institution.
“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” is one of many shows the department has planned this school year. The next show, “Just a Matter of Time,” written by theater teacher and director Ryan Mullican, will be performed in the Blackbox Theater from Nov. 1-12. Their winter musical “Crazy for You” is slated for Jan. 19-22.
For more information about upcoming shows and to buy tickets, visit http://whsdramadept.org/22-23-shows.
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