Dale Wasserman’s dramatic play based on Ken Kesey’s book generously sponsored by The Iron Dragon of Pittsfield, NH and produced by The Pittsfield Players, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest is currently in rehearsal for their limited engagement in March on the Scenic Stage.
Eighteen years ago Meggin Dail embarked on her first adventure as a director within the Pittsfield Players community. She was pregnant with her first child and determined to do the job of directing all by herself. Little did she realize that nobody lets a pregnant women do anything by themselves and she soon found out she was grateful for all the help she got. Mo Demers designed and built the set (with some help) as well as acted in and produced the show. Vicki Peixinho (known then as Vicki Skoog) stage managed and gave much meaningful advice to the the novice director, having directed more than a few shows herself. Elsie Morse, Meggin’s mom, took on costuming for the show, making the 15 sets of scrubs the men were to wear as inmates of the ward for the mentally unstable, and the two nurses caps and uniforms for famed Nurse Ratched and shy Nurse Flinn plus two straight jackets with the assistance of Jan Pinard. Meggin was lucky enough to have such Players’ stage legends as Mike Chagnon, Ernie Bass, Steve Barnes, Dr. Robert Murray, Kate Crary, John Genest and Carol Light audition for the parts. Newbies to the Players, Brian Moreau, John Marden, Gale Call, George Southwick, Ed Bauer and Nathan Strong also auditioned and landed roles. Some needed more urging and recent star of Guys and Dolls, Nathan Ruggles was cast in a smaller role along with Jeremey Gadoury, a kids’ theater workshop veteran, Angel Douglas, also known for his musical talent, and Art Morse, Meggin’s dad were all cast after some convincing. The Players always have difficulty getting men to audition, much less 14 men in a non-musical. Some things never change.
Eighteen years later after two auditions, many texts, emails, Facebook messages and phone calls were made, Cuckoo’s Nest is once again getting ready for production. Chief Bromden will be played by John Chinn; Aide Warren by Bob Tuttle; Aide Williams by Joel Dail; Aide Turkle by Dick Colman; Dale Harding by newbie Ken Berry; Billy Bibbit by previously musicals -only, Coy McCarty; Scanlon by newbie Kiefer Archambault; Cheswick by Marty Williams; Martini by previously musicals-only, Jared Griffin; Ruckly by Mike Towle; Nurse Ratched by Vicki Watson; Nurse Flinn by Cathy Williams; Candy Starr by Elisha Griffin; Sandra by newbie, Beth Champagne Joshua Spaulding and Jim Adams playing Chronics and, just because some things really never change Randle P. McMurphy will be reprised by Ernie Bass while Dr. Spivey will be played by also original cast member Nathan Strong, after which he plans to retire, making Cuckoo’s Nest his first and last performance with the Pittsfield Players for which Meggin is deeply honored. Directed by Meggin Dail, produced by Carole Neveaux, costumed by Cathy Williams, set design by Joel Dail, light design by Jim Hart, poster design by Mike Hobson and cast member Elisha Griffin also acting as stage manager; mark your calendars for this Pittsfield Players 50th anniversary celebration of the past and present, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, sponsored by The Iron Dragon of Pittsfield, NH