‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ plays Feb. 18 to March 6

WASILLA — Valley Performing Arts production of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” opens today and plays through May 6 at the Fred and Sara Machetanz Theatre in Wasilla, 251 W. Swanson Ave.

Director Kevin Cochran’s main characters are played by Ted Carney as Randall P. McMurphy; Larry Bottjen as Dale Harding; Theron Bair as Chief Bromden; and Bianca Purcell as Nurse Ratched.

Many may remember when Ken Kesey’s seminal 1960s novel was adapted into the 1975 film that won five Academy Awards and featured Jack Nicholson.

The unforgettable play is set in a mental hospital where its main characters inhabit a world where sanity means conformity and following the rules is the only way to survive.

The story begins when a charming rogue contrives to serve a short sentence in an airy mental institution rather in a prison. But when he clashes with the head nurse, he takes over the yard and leads others out of introversion, stages a revolt and arranges a rollicking midnight party with liquor and chippies.

This is the fifth show of VPA’s 2010-11 season. Previous shows this season were “Pride and Prejudice,” “Blithe Spirit,” “King Island Christmas” and “Nunsense II.”

Up next are “A Little Princess,” which plays March 25 to April 17, and “Bad Boys Gone Gray,” May 6 to 22.

This dramatic play is for a mature audience and shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Groups of 10 or more receive a 10 percent discount.

For more information or to reserve tickets, call 373-0195 or visit valleyperformingarts.org.