Mesa Legend - ARCHIVES - Vol. 38, Issue 10


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Volume 38 Issue 10
February 27, 2001

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Theatre Outback goes ‘Cuckoo’ over new play

BY BECKY RASMUSSEN
MESA LEGEND
Submitted February 27, 2001

Mike Pauley is one of the many MCC students helping to turn Theatre Outback into a mental
institution.

Photo Courtesy of Theatre Outback

(Left to right) Lori Rogers, Mike Pauley and Michele Parent enjoy a clandestine party in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest." Performing at MCC’s Theatre Outback March 1-4.

Not exactly a real mental institution, but a classic play set in the 1960s called "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest."

Pauley, who began acting when he was 14-years-old, has written a play and acted in over 12 productions, four of which were at MCC.

He got involved at Theatre Outback so he could be part of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest."

"In April, I saw a production of ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ in Chicago, it just blew me away," said Pauley. "So, I figured it would be a great show to get involved with at MCC."

Pauley will portray the character of Randle P. McMurphy, a gambler who commits himself into a mental institution instead of serving a jail term.

Set in a mental ward, McMurphy mistakes it for the easy way out and thinks he will be sprung as soon as his brief term is completed.

However, he doesn’t count on the aggressive, psychopathic Nurse Ratched, who despises his carefree manner and attempts to destroy his spirit.

"Mike Pauley is great, he’s awesome," said Anika Tisdale, who will play the role of Nurse Ratched. "I am amazed by his diversity — he’s so quiet and soft spoken, to see him on stage as McMurphy is completely amazing."

Auditions were held before winter break, allowing the cast several weeks to learn their parts.

On Jan. 22, the cast for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest" convened to do their first read-through of the script.

"The read-through went really well, there was a good connection between us," said Tisdale.

For the last five weeks, the cast has put in 15 to 20 hours a week for rehearsals.

"Everyone in the cast is pretty seasoned and there is a large diversity in age among us, so it was really interesting to hear the all voices come together for the first time," said Tisdale.

Rehearsals consist of more than just reading and acting. Often times, there are warm-up exercises involved and discussions to get the cast emotionally and mentally ready.

"I like to sit with my eyes closed before rehearsal and think about how my character relates to each character in the play," said Tisdale.

One of the unique features about this show is the director, Gary Stephens. He also brought "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest" to MCC in 1981.

"Gary Stephens is an awesome director for this show," said Tisdale. "I feel like he has a connection with this story, he puts so much emotion into it. I’ve never worked with a director quite like him."

"I enjoy theater because it’s telling a story," said Pauley. "Every time I perform in different shows my main goal is that the audience doesn’t leave saying ‘what the hell was the point to that.’"

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest" will run March 1-3 at 8 p.m. and March 4 at 2 p.m. For ticket prices call Theatre Outback’s box office at (480) 461-7170.