Cast of ‘Cuckoo’s Nest’ draws audience into tragic hospital

WASILLA — I have to say that Ken Kesey’s “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” has been one of my favorite stories since I was in high school, and I had high expectations for VPA’s production.

I was not disappointed.

Ted Carney and D.J. Rotach, two of the most entertaining actors from this season’s roster, came together to play perhaps their most fitting roles yet, McMurphy and Martini. Carney is a natural actor — or so this performance would make you think. I wonder if any role has been easier for him.

Rotach, with his comedic flair, pushes boundaries that should be pushed sometimes.

The abominable Nurse Ratched is spot-on from VPA newcomer Bianca Purcell, whose past association with law enforcement might add to the Big Nurse’s vicious nature.

Johnny Foster delivers a decent, but not-quite-believable Billy Bibbit.

Unexpectedly, one of the minor characters took the show, very subtly, away from the wild R.P. McMurphy, and afforded it his own energy. Cheswick, beautifully crafted by Thomas G. Jacobs, gave every impression that the audience was in the hospital with that group of crazies.

No one spoke so well as the traumatized, confused Dale Harding (Larry Bottjen, who gets a bonus from me because he’s also the show’s sound designer), the genius and passive former leader of the clique of curable patients.

And how often does intermission seem as annoying as television commercials — to come at a moment we’d much rather keep watching than to have the house lights fade in, revealing our world again, for we’ve been lost in that tragic hospital? How rude can it be?

This is the best VPA performance I’ve seen this season.

Sean Talbot is a student at the University of Alaska Anchorage and Mat-Su College.

By Sean Talbot

For the Frontiersman

WASILLA — I have to say that Ken Kesey’s “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” has been one of my favorite stories since I was in high school, and I had high expectations for VPA’s production.

I was not disappointed.

Ted Carney and D.J. Rotach, two of the most entertaining actors from this season’s roster, came together to play perhaps their most fitting roles yet, McMurphy and Martini. Carney is a natural actor — or so this performance would make you think. I wonder if any role has been easier for him.

Rotach, with his comedic flair, pushes boundaries that should be pushed sometimes.

The abominable Nurse Ratched is spot-on from VPA newcomer Bianca Purcell, whose past association with law enforcement might add to the Big Nurse’s vicious nature.

Johnny Foster delivers a decent, but not-quite-believable Billy Bibbit.

Unexpectedly, one of the minor characters took the show, very subtly, away from the wild R.P. McMurphy, and afforded it his own energy. Cheswick, beautifully crafted by Thomas G. Jacobs, gave every impression that the audience was in the hospital with that group of crazies.

No one spoke so well as the traumatized, confused Dale Harding (Larry Bottjen, who gets a bonus from me because he’s also the show’s sound designer), the genius and passive former leader of the clique of curable patients.

And how often does intermission seem as annoying as television commercials — to come at a moment we’d much rather keep watching than to have the house lights fade in, revealing our world again, for we’ve been lost in that tragic hospital? How rude can it be?

This is the best VPA performance I’ve seen this season.

Sean Talbot is a student at the University of Alaska Anchorage and Mat-Su College.