Thomas Neal Antwon Ghant to Lead Alliance Theatre's ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST; Cast Set!

The Alliance Theatre has announced the cast and creative team behind its upcoming production of the classic 1960s drama, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, by Dale Wasserman and based on the novel by Ken Kesey. The Alliance's production, directed by Susan V. Booth (Blues for an Alabama Sky, The Geller Girls, August: Osage County), will feature some of Atlanta's most talented and well-respected actors in one of the largest ensembles of the 2015/16 season.

In One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Randle McMurphy charms his way onto a psych ward thinking it's the easy way to serve out a six-month prison sentence. There he encounters Nurse Ratched, a disciplined and extremely focused agent of authority. Randle uses his charisma and humor to breathe life into the ward and lead the other patients into open rebellion. But McMurphy's revolution against Nurse Ratched and everything she stands for quickly turns from sport to a fierce power struggle-with shattering results. This powerful American drama explores the beauty and danger of being a free spirit in a closed system.

Leading the cast in the role of Randle McMurphy is Thomas Neal Antwon Ghant. Ghant last appeared at the Alliance as Leland in the Alliance's 20th anniversary production of Blues for an Alabama Sky. He can be seen annually in the Alliance's production of A Christmas Carol as Bob Cratchit. The role of domineering Nurse Ratched will be played by Tess Malis Kincaid. Kincaid last appeared at the Alliance as Liz Eliason in the world premiere Broke, by Janece Shaffer, and as Barbara in August: Osage County. Both roles earned her the Suzi Bass Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play.

Also joining the 16-member cast are Andrew Benator (A Christmas Carol, August: Osage County) as Dale Harding; Richard Garner (August: Osage County) as Scanlon; Chris Kayser (A Christmas Carol, August: Osage County) as Ruckly; Joe Knezevich (A Christmas Carol, August: Osage County) as Cheswick; Eric Mendenhall (Regional: Other Desert Cities) as Billy Bibbit; Jeremy Proulx (BONES: An Aboriginal Dance Opera) as Chief Bromden; Anthony P. Rodriguez (Aurora Theatre: Mariela in the Desert) as Anthony Martini; Tonia Jackson (True Colors Theatre: Detroit '67) as Sandy, Bethany Anne Lind (Edward Foote, August: Osage County) as Candy Starr; David de Vries (A Christmas Carol) as Dr. Spivey; Ann Marie Gideon (Edward Foote, The Geller Girls) as Nurse Flinn; Scott Warren (Theatrical Outfit: Confederacy of Dunces) as Aide Turkle; and Terry Guest (Actor's Express: Marcus; Or the Secret of Sweet) and Daniel Triandiflou (By the Way, Meet Vera Stark) as Aides Warren and Williams.

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is the ultimate visceral stew of ensemble acting," said Director Susan v. Booth. "It has everything that makes for juicy work for great actors - power struggles, wildly idiosyncratic characters, heartbreaking pathos, high comedy, and a game of basketball largely played by men in their underwear. After 14 years of watching the amazing depth of the Atlanta talent pool, it was just time."

Thomas Neal Antwon Ghant

Members of the Cuckoo's Nest creative team include Tony Award-winning Scenic Designer Todd Rosenthal (August: Osage County); Costume Designer Linda Roethke (The Geller Girls); Sound Designer Clay Benning (Blues for an Alabama Sky); and Lighting Designer Ken Yunker (Native Guard).

Patrons can join the Alliance in kicking off the 2015/16 season at the annual Season Opening Celebration on Wednesday, September 9. Sponsorships are available and include a pre-show cocktail dinner and tickets to the opening night performance of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. For further details or to become a patron sponsor, contact Megan DeWitt at 404.733.5186 or megan.dewitt@woodruffcenter.org.

Regular performances of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest are Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., September 2 - 20, 2015. There will be no performance on Saturday, September 5 at 2:30 p.m. Opening Night is Wednesday, September 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets start at $20 and are available at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office in person or by calling 404.733.5000. Tickets are also available online at www.alliancetheatre.org/cuckoo. Discounted rates for groups of 10 or more are available by calling 404.733.4690. Discounted rates are also available for members of the military, seniors, and students. A special morning performance is also available for school field trips on Thursday, September 17 at 11:00 a.m. Learn more by calling 404.733.4661.

The Alliance Theatre is located at the Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, at the corner of Peachtree and 15th Street.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is part of the Coca-Cola Series on the Alliance Stage. Cuckoo's Nest is also supported by The Home Depot Foundation.

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