ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST Opens Beck Center Season

Beck Center for the Arts proudly opens its 2017-2018 theater season with the dramatic comedy One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Sept. 15 through Oct. 8, 2017 in the Mackey Theater. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m.Sundays. An additional performance will take place Thursday, Oct. 5 at 8 p.m., and the Sept. 17 performance will be held at a special time of 7 p.m. Tickets are now on sale. Buy early and save with promo code: RATCHED to receive $5 off each adult/senior ticket purchased by September 14.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest tells the story of institutional madness where obedience and conformity are the only acceptable indications of good mental health. Randle Patrick McMurphy, a charming rogue, instantly questions the asylum's procedures. He begins to rally his fellow patients in acts of independence. When these acts are not tolerated, McMurphy learns the authorities and Nurse Ratched have terrible ways of enabling conformity. The New York Times calls it "Scarifying and powerful."

Beck Center's former artistic director, William Roudebush, returns to direct this meaningful play for the new theater season. "This is one of the best adaptations to the stage of a classic novel of all time," remarked Roudebush. "The tale of escape from the emotional bonds we place on ourselves resonates even louder today than it did over 50 years ago. It has always been at the top of my list of plays to direct and I couldn't be more pleased that the Beck Center has given me this unique opportunity."

Based on Ken Kesey's 1962 novel of the same name, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest features Bryant Carroll as McMurphy and Katherine DeBoer as Nurse Ratched. Both actors appear courtesy of the Actors' Equity Association (AEA), the union of actors and stage managers.

Tickets are $31 for adults, $27 for seniors (65 and older), and $12 for students with a valid I.D. A $3 service fee per ticket will be applied at time of purchase. Preview Night on Thursday, September 14 is $10 with general admission seating. Group discounts are available for parties of four or more. Purchase tickets online at beckcenter.org or call Customer Service at 216.521.2540 x10. Beck Center for the Arts is located at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, just ten minutes west of downtown Cleveland. Free onsite parking is available.

This production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is presented through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. It is generously sponsored by the residents of Cuyahoga County through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and the Ohio Arts Council.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest opens Beck Center's 2017-2018 theater season, which also includes the return of the award-winning production of Disney's The Little Mermaid, the regional premiere of My First Time, Broadway triumph Gypsy, and the timely and thought-provoking Bent. This season's outstanding lineup also includes the classic masterpiece Waiting for Godot andcelebrates the 50th anniversary of the ground-breaking musical HAIR in collaboration with the Baldwin Wallace Music Theatre Program. "I am very excited by this mix of musicals and plays, as they collectively have such an amazing pedigree," commented Artistic Director Scott Spence. "I'm especially excited to kick off the season with such a fine example of a contemporary classic---one that has become part of our American landscape."

Beck Center for the Arts is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that offers professional theater productions on two stages, arts education programming for all ages and abilities, including dance, music, theater, visual arts, and creative arts therapies for individuals with special needs, outreach education, and free gallery exhibitions.

To post a comment, you must register and login.