This story has been updated with additional information.
Amarillo Little Theatre’s newest production invites audiences into the heart of a tense mental ward power struggle when “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” opens Thursday, Aug. 14, at the ALT Adventure Space — just months after the film adaptation marked its 50th anniversary.
Director Stephen Crandall said staging the play with the audience on both sides of the mental hospital day room creates “a very dynamic and exciting experience” while giving a fresh perspective through “the unique talent of the ensemble.”
Running Aug. 14-24, the Dale Wasserman adaptation of Ken Kesey’s classic novel will be staged in an alley-style configuration, seating patrons on two sides of the set for an up-close view of the story’s battles over control and individuality. The 1962 novel inspired the 1975 Academy Award-winning film starring Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher.
Joanna Kimbell, a West Texas A&M University professor who teaches business law, plays the unyielding Nurse Ratched. She said the black-box venue’s intimacy will heighten the tension and connection between the actors and audience.
“The audience is going to feel like they’re really present with the patients in the mental hospital,” Kimbell said. “That’s what the Adventure Space is really meant for — to make it a truly special experience for the audience.”
Kimbell, who has performed with ALT since 2008, called portraying one of literature’s most infamous villains both daunting and rewarding.
“I think she’s one of the better-known female villains to come out of a piece of literature,” she said. “It really does feel like an honor to play her. It’s the second time I’ve played a villain, and it’s actually a lot of fun — you get to chew the scenery a little bit.”
Part of her motivation to audition, she said, was knowing it was such a rich role, but she also loved the source material and looked forward to reuniting with familiar collaborators.
“Part of it was because it is such a great villain role,” Kimbell said. “I also love the novel — it’s an incredibly well-written, fascinating book. And I knew several people interested in auditioning who I’d worked with before, so it felt like it could be a really fun production to be a part of.”
Hugh Fristoe, who portrays Randle P. McMurphy, said the staging choice sets this production apart from both the book and the film.
“It’s unique. I hadn’t seen another play staged this way,” Fristoe said. “It’s a very immersive and intimate experience for all of us on stage as well.”
Fristoe said the cast embraced the challenge of making the characters their own without mimicking the movie’s performances.
“You want to honor the story, give an authentic and fair presentation of the characters, and make your own choices,” he said. “I think we’ve done a good job staying true to the characters while bringing our own spin to it.”
Crandall said the play also offers a deeper dive into Kesey’s novel than the film could. “It’s definitely a challenge to live up to expectations of the very famous movie, but I think the play offers a deeper experience of the original novel … and helps fill in some gaps that a movie can’t fill,” he said.
“You want to honor the story, give an authentic and fair presentation of the characters, and make your own choices,” Fristoe said. “I think we’ve done a good job staying true to the characters while bringing our own spin to it.”
He also praised the rest of the ensemble, particularly those portraying the patients. “They’re creating and living in the backstory of their own,” Fristoe said. “There’s something new to see from every single one of them.”
Kimbell credited her mother, a retired nurse who once ran a locked mental health unit, with helping her prepare for the role.
“She’s given me personal anecdotes and little details about how it feels to walk through those kinds of hallways,” Kimbell said.
The cast’s anticipation has grown with each rehearsal, she added.
“We’ve had a few visitors sit in on rehearsals, and just hearing their reactions has given us a preview of how energetic it’s going to be with a full audience,” Kimbell said.
Both actors said the play’s themes of individuality versus conformity remain relevant in 2025.
Crandall agreed, noting that “now is a perfect time to explore these themes, with such divisions in the world and a lot of ‘othering’ of people.” He said he hopes audiences realize “everyone is deserving of their identity, of happiness and care, and of self-determination.”
“Depending on whom you follow, your goals and behaviors might shift dramatically, and there are cookie-cutter lives out there following the instructions of those influencers,” Fristoe said. “Individualism and uniqueness are definitely being lost because of that.”
“I hope audiences take away more empathy for others,” he added. “We’re all struggling with things unseen. People are more open about mental struggles now, but it’s still important to understand that mental illness is not a choice — it’s something that needs to be treated, not hidden or exiled.”
Crandall added that mental health remains a “very important and dire topic for today” and said he hopes the production prompts audiences to “help those around them who may be struggling.”
ALT’s cast also includes Brandon Khamphoumy as Chief Bromden, Brandon Graves as Aide Warren, Noah Lang as Aide Williams, Shelby McCown as Nurse Flinn, Jonathan Mobley as Harding, Evan Domme as Billy, Cy Scroggins as Cheswick, Patrick Burns as Scanion, Zeth Collom as Martini, Caleb Cordes as Ruckly, Jeffrey Wyrick as Dr. Spivey, Caitlin Gibson as Candy Starr, Mitcheal Johnson Jr. as Aide Turkle and Sara Pennington-Booher as Sandra.
Natalie Davis is the assistant to the director on this stage production.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 14-16 and 21-23, and at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 17 and 24 at the Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle. The production is rated 16+. Tickets are available at amarillolittletheatre.org or by calling 806-355-9991.
As the cast steps into Kesey’s world of rebellion, control and human connection, ALT’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” aims to leave audiences not just entertained, but questioning where the line lies between following the rules — and finding your own way.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: ALT brings immersive ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ to Amarillo
Reporting by Michael Cuviello, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
