The inmates nearly take over the asylum in Yakima Valley College’s production of Dale Wasserman’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” The title is a line from an old children’s rhyme, but there’s nothing juvenile about this hard-hitting 1963 depiction of mental institutions based on Ken Kesey’s celebrated novel.
“I feel that, although this is a bit of an older play, it has a timeless message,” said Ray Pritchard, drama instructor and director of the spring production. “It deals with the struggle between one’s own personal freedoms and the fight against those that are in power and authority.”
In the play, an unnamed hospital houses a colorful cast of patients who could leave the institute but are too scared of the outside world to escape their comfort zone. Each actor embodies his character with a unique set of twitches, mannerisms and phobias.
According to Pritchard, “Cuckoo’s Nest” explores the themes of standing up to tyrannical leaders even when the odds are against you and, even when it may seem to be a hopeless fight, still doing what is right.
“Given everything that is happening right now in our nation, I feel that people need to take a stand,” said Pritchard. “Those that are in power do not always do what is best for all of us, but what is best for them.”
The play takes a harsh look at the psychiatric methods of the era — group talk therapy, electroshock and lobotomies — and deems them worthless. According to the playwright, the best medicine is freedom, respect and yes, even sex.
“There is still so much we do not understand or know how to treat when it comes to mental illness, this play shows that each person is unique and there is no ‘one way’ to correctly treat those who suffer.” — Ray Pritchard, drama instructor
Pritchard notes that Wasserman’s play asks hard questions and provides no comfortable answers. Among them: who is crazy and who is sane, how can the oppressed gain power, and does the healthcare industry help or harm those in its care?
“Within this, the play also examines how we as a society look at mental health,” said Pritchard. “It shows obsolete, inhumane practices that were once thought of as the correct method of dealing with many forms of mental illness.” “Cuckoo’s Nest” runs May 8-10 and 15-17 in the Kendall Hall Auditorium. Playgoers should note the show contains adult language and themes. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door the night of the performance.
Story by Stefanie Menard, AA-DTA ’05, communications consultant.