Untitled Document

It’s a story seen through the eyes of Chief Bromden, played by Roger Henderson, a veteran of the Paw Paw Village Players, as he watches the comings and goings on the ward of a mental hospital in the Pacific Northwest. Into this world roars Randall Patrick McMurphy, on loan to the hospital for psychiatric evaluation from the county work farm. Mr. McMurphy is used to being the top dog in everything he does and his stay in the loony bin is no exception. Of course, Nurse Ratched, who rules the ward with starched white, tightly wound control, is rather fond of being Number One herself.

Into this scenario arrives a contest between the strong and the weak, the wolf and the rabbit, the totalitarian society and the oppressed individual. It is a show of light and dark, fear and redemption. Showcasing his actor’s stripes is Drake Newnum, just returned from New York City, who boldly brings his interpretation of R. P. McMurphy to the stage. Against his bravado is Nurse Ratched, played by Jeanne Chilla, who counters his challenges with a fierceness of her own. Supporting actors who find themselves amidst the dark and into the light are fellow actors Don Stine, Dave Mahon, Michael Grigsby, Douglas Newnum, Dave Wing and Chris Scheibel. Supporting Nurse Ratched are aides Williams, Warren, and Turkle played by Thomas Wright, August Gallagher, and Ed Smietana and Nurse Flinn played by Misti Mahon. Rounding out the fun are visitors to t he ward- girlfriends Candy Starr and Sandra played by Wendy Charles and Susan McCulfor respectively. Trying to keep the insane sane is Dr. Spivey played by Mark McCulfor. Adding to the fun are members of Chief Bromden’s hallucinations played by Ashley Morris, Jane Starr, and Denise Campagna (choreographer) with the help of others. Helping on the set are Dominique Grabbe (producer), Greta Taylor (stage manager), Matt Douglas and Katie Bannon (lights), Sal Campagna and Uldis Saule (set construction), and Karl Krapf (muralist). Liz Saule directs.
This play is a wonderful opportunity for the Paw Paw Village Players to bring to the stage a classic play that will delight, horrify, titillate and challenge the audience. Emotions run wild on the ward and it’s anyone guess just who is sane and who is not.

It is a bold play with an extraordinary cast. Come see the show and enjoy a visit to a place “where there’s such a lot things are true even if they never really happen!” ….so says Chief Bromden.

Due to language and innuendo, this play may not be suitable for children under the age of fourteen.

Chief	Roger Henderson
Warren	August Gallagher
Williams	Thomas Wright
Nurse Ratched	Jeanne Chilla
Nurse Flinn	Misti Mahon
Harding	Don Stine
Billy	Dave Mahon
Scanlon	Michael Grigsby
Cheswick	Doug Newnum
Martini	Dave Wing
Ruckly / Extra	Chris Scheibel
McMurphy	Drake Newnum
Dr. Spivey	Mark McCulfor
Candy Starr / Extra	Wendy Charles
Turkle / Technician / Extra	Edward Smietana
Sandra / Extra	Susan McCulfor
Extras	Jane Starr, Denise Campagna, Ashley Morris
Director	Liz Saule
Choreographer	Denise Campagna
Producer	Dominique Grabbe
Stage Manager	Greta Taylor
Set Construction	Sal Campagna and Udis Saule
Muralist	Karl Krapf
Lights	Matt Douglas and Katie Bannon
Sound	Sally Butler and Gene Butler