Theatre Department opens season with 
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

The Department of Theatre at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro will open the 2004-05 season on Oct. 8 with the comedy-drama, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. 

The story portrays a power struggle between a rogue patient and the orderly head nurse in a mental institution in the 1960s. The institution is filled with a cast of characters who suffer from emotional distress.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was written by Dale Wasserman and is based on the novel by Ken Kesey. The ASU Theatre’s production is under the direction of John O’Connell, associate professor of theatre.

Scenic and lighting design will be under the direction of Jeff McLaughlin, assistant professor of theatre and the costume designer will be Kelly Schaefer, assistant professor of theatre. Stage management duties for the production have been assigned to Katie Holland, a junior theatre major from Rogers.

The cast includes Dustin Brown, a senior theatre major from Macon as R.P. McMurphy; Clint Gooch, a sophomore theatre major from Searcy as Chief Bromden; Carl Heyl, a sophomore theatre major from Jonesboro as Aide Williams; Kyle Hamsher, a sophomore speech communication major from Jacksonville as Aide Warren; Ashley Patterson, a senior theatre major from Jonesboro as Nurse Flinn; Paul Harrel, a sophomore theatre major from Jonesboro as Dale Harding; Jake West, a freshman theatre major from Jonesboro as Billy Bibbit; and Kelly Stafford, a senior theatre major from Memphis, Tenn., as Charles Atkins Cheswick III.  

The cast will also include Brandon Doty, a freshman theatre major from Jonesboro as Frank Scanlon; William Rowland, a sophomore theatre major from Jacksonville as Anthony Martini; Mathew Chandler, a sophomore theatre major from Bryant as Ruckly; Jared Weston, a sophomore theatre major from Paragould as Dr. Spivey; Ross Willett, a sophomore from Jonesboro as Aide Turkel; Brooklyn Scalzo, a junior theatre major from Bartlett, Tenn., as Candy; and Mary Clarie DePriest, a sophomore theatre major of Jonesboro as Sandra.

Molly Simpson, professor of theatre at ASU, will be appearing as a guest artist in the role of Nurse Ratched.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 8 and 9, and Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 12 and 13, in the Fowler Center. This play contains adult language and subject matter. Children under six years old will not be admitted.

Tickets may be purchased (for reserved seating, in advance) at the ASU Central Box Office in the Convocation Center or by calling 972-ASU1.Tickets are also available online at tickets.astate.edu.

If available, reserved seating tickets may be purchased at the door on the evening of the performance. Ticket prices are $9 at the door and $7 in advance. Advanced reservations are highly recommended.

For additional information, please contact the ASU Box Office at 870-972-2791.