Westfield Theatre Group, Westfield, MA
through October 25, 2014
by Mary Ann Dennis
With a mental ward standing in for everyday society, “One
Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” is insane (in a good way). Based on Ken Kesey's
novel and directed by Jake Golen with depth and understanding, this is a
comically sharp indictment to urge establishment to conform. Playing crazy to
avoid prison work detail, manic but free spirit Randle P. McMurphy, played by
Carl Schwarzenbach, is sent to the state mental hospital for evaluation. There
he encounters a motley crew of mostly voluntary inmates, all presided over by
the icy Nurse Ratched.
Ratched and McMurphy recognize that each is the other's
worst enemy: an authority figure who equates sanity with correct behavior, and
a misfit who is charismatic enough to dismantle the system simply by living as
he pleases. Schwarzenbach as McMurphy is stellar. His approach to this
boisterous, brawling, fun-loving rebel is performed with finesse. He commands
the stage and is a delight to watch. Janine Flood’s Nurse Ratched is passive-aggressive
in shining armor. Flood’s approach is sterile and self-controlled which “works”
for the character. Flood’s interpretation is consistent and valid, but a bit
more whimsical playfulness would make a proper ingredient to the syrup
manipulations.
The evidence of Ratched’s authority is shown in the lobotomized
character of Ruckly, played by Paul Bridge. Although few lines are delivered,
Bridge pulls off the idiosyncrasies, twitches, and outbursts so believably that
the audience is mesmerized. Bridge makes his acting debut with this production
and is sensational in this intricate and most necessary role.
Thomas LeCourt is successful as Dale Harding, a man simply
trying to figure why, what and how but is scared and has been shut down from
life. Kevin Montemagni exuberantly puts himself into the role of Scanlon – a
paranoid bomb-making maniac. Martini, played by John Kielb, is perfect for his
role. Rob Clark's Chief evokes unexpected compassion from his audience.
McMurphy's message to live free or die is ultimately not
lost on the “inmates,” revealing that escape is still possible even from the
most oppressive conditions. What happens when Nurse Ratched uses her ultimate
weapon against McMurphy provides the story's shocking climax. This is an
intricate show; a display of life and the conflicts everyone faces.
