RESS RELEASE FROM THE LITTLE THEATRE OF WILKES-BARRE

From: David Parmelee, GM and Interim Marketing Director

Subject: One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, a production of The Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, presented at the Lemmond Theatre, Misericordia University.

Dates: January 30—February 8, 2026, Fridays and Saturdays at 8, Sundays at 3.

Where: The Lemmond theatre, Misericordia University, Dallas, PA

Contact:  David Parmelee, dcp740i@gmail.com 570 417 6790

Website: www.ltwb.org

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION:

The first production of the Little Theatre season, known as the “winter heavy,” is a serious drama audiences can sink their teeth into. Dale Wasserman’s adaptation of Ken Kesey’s iconic 1962 novel is a modern classic. Outlaw hero Randle McMurphy’s battle with tyrannical Nurse Ratched is epic. A truly stellar cast, some returning from our 2014 production, will bring their characters to vivid life in this moving play.

Little Theatre’s historic 1916 building is undergoing repairs. Thanks to the generosity of Misericordia University, where LTWB’s Artistic Director Scott Colin Woolnough directs the student theatre program, all 6 performances will take place in the beautiful Lemmond Theatre on the MU campus. Parking and accessibility to those with disabilities are excellent. This is the FIRST time in 104 seasons LTWB has gone “on tour” to the Back Mountain! MU and The Back Mountain Chamber are providing invaluable marketing support. The production is presented though the generosity of The Renaissance Center for Plastic Surgery, Francis J,. Collini. Md, FACS.

All seating is General Admission. Tickets are $20. Reserve by calling 570-823-1875.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:

Ken Kesey (1935—2001) is a giant of American literature and 1950’s and 60’s Beat hippie culture best known for his novels Cuckoo’s Nest and Sometimes a Great Notion. His unconventional life drew attention in many ways. He was a subject of US government experiments with LSD, mentored the Grateful Dead, staged the Acid Tests novelized by author Tom Wolfe, and rode “The Bus,” Furthur, with the Merry Pranksters.

At the helm as director is Claire Joelle, known for direction of the psychological thriller The Pillowman and A Christmas Carol (both 2025), as well as two of her one-act plays.

The superb cast includes Deirdre Navin as Nurse Ratched, returning to serious drama after the birth of her daughter, 4. Deirdre is a veteran of The Crucible, Hamlet, and King Lear, among many others. She notes, “Someday my daughter will be able to see my shows—but not this one!”