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‘Cuckoo’s Nest’ available online this weekend
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In this scene from “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” all of the patients gather around Head Nurse Ratched for a “group therapy” session. From left: Torey Wilson, Billy Bibbett; Kedric Spurgin, Martini; Ian Diaz Ortega, McMurphy; Micah Bachert, Dr. Spivey; Ava Brooks, Nurse Ratched; Luke Harding, Cheswick; Nilo Reynoso, Scanlon; and Jacob Pieplow as Harding. The realistic set includes overhead lighting, tiled floor, speaker system and emergency lights. The show was performed last weekend but will be available to view online this weekend.

STERLING — The Sterling College Theatre production of the play “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” will be available to view online this Saturday and Sunday, March 20-21, through Showtix4u.com. 

The show was seen last weekend in Culbertson Auditorium and was to have been livestreamed during the performances. Due to technical difficulties, livestreaming was not possible but the show was recorded and will be posted for online audiences this weekend.

The play by Dale Wasserman was adapted into the acclaimed Academy Award winning movie of the same name starring Jack Nicholson in 1975. “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” takes place in a mental institution in the late 1960s. The central character is Randle McMurphy a patient who challenges the power of Head Nurse Ratched over his fellow patients. 

“We were pleased with the response to the show,” said Sasha Hildebrand, artistic director and faculty member of Sterling College Theatre. “This play was both challenging in theme and issues it raises in dealing with mental illness and also technically.” 

The set for the show is a completely realistic mental institution main room complete with nurse’s station, overhead lights, tiled floor and emergency siren and lights. Junior student Matt Elits designed the set for the show. “This show gave our students a chance to construct and conquer a monster of a technical show. Everything from set to lights and sound were all out of the ordinary.”

Sterling College student Ian Diaz Ortega from Puerto Rico led the 16-member cast.

“I am proud of all the performances but particularly of Ian,” Hildebrand said. “This was his first time on stage in a play and to bite off and succeed with this role is truly impressive.” 

The content of the play includes adult situations and strong language. If it were a movie it would be rated PG-13. It is not recommended for children under 13. 

Sterling College Theatre’s production of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” will be available to be seen online at showtix4u.com/events/sterlingcollegetheatre. The cost is $13 per device and the show may be viewed multiple times from 12:01 a.m. Saturday through 11:45 p.m. on Sunday night.