Cuckoos fly over theater


POWER PLAY—Nurse Ratched (Danielle McFadden), left, tries to control angry patients in “One Flew Over the Cukoo’s Nest” at Conejo Players Theatre. Courtesy photo

POWER PLAY—Nurse Ratched (Danielle McFadden), left, tries to control angry patients in “One Flew Over the Cukoo’s Nest” at Conejo Players Theatre. Courtesy photo

Continuing its 60th season, Conejo Players Theatre will present “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” from May 18 through June 9 at 351 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks.

Show times are 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

The play, written by Dale Wasserman and based on the novel by Ken Kesey, was originally staged by CPT in 1979 as the theater’s 100th production. Wasserman attended on opening night.

Now, almost 200 productions later, former CPT president Deidre Parmenter helms the Tony Award-winning piece.

The show follows R.P. McMurphy, portrayed by Michael Worden, a charming rogue who contrives to serve a sentence in a mental institution rather than in prison.

He clashes with the fierce, martinet head nurse Ratched, played by Danielle McFadden.

McMurphy stages a revolt so the inmates can see the World Series on TV and arranges a midnight party. Ultimately, he learns the hard way that insubordination will not be tolerated.

The cast also includes: David White, Dan Wilner, Patrick Mc- Grath, Shelby Fry, Kelly Green, Benjamin Wilson, William Hubbard, John Eslick, Jason Ravi Carpenter, Noah Terry, Hugh McManigal, Don Johnson, Lois Lorback and Michelle Jacobson.

The production is rated R for adult language.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $16 for students, seniors and military. For tickets, call the box office at (805) 495-3715 or visit conejoplayers.org.