FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com april 16, 2015 • buzz • The Queens Courier 61 ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ in LIC The cruel, claustrophobic kingdom of 1950s psychiatric facilities is revealed in Variations Theatre Group’s “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” The story unfolds in the hospital day room. In it, we are witnesses to a combination of horror, suspense and black comedy. Ultimately, we are left breathless from this intense and unforgiving indictment of once commonplace institutionalized brutality. At Sunday’s matinee, R.P. McMurphy — played by Kirk Gostkowski — is a kind-hearted tough guy who challenges the forever smiling, always sinister Head Nurse Ratched, played by Leigh Anne West. As bizarre sides of the same coin, they are riveting and charismatic. Meanwhile, Constantin Tripes plays Chief Bromden. As narrator, eerie images roll across the set as he speaks of his doomed father and a mystical, imaginary “combine.” Tripes offers a tormented but sympathetic characterization. In the violent but uplifting conclusion his tears are genuine. The audience is equally moved. Supporting players in the day room are flawless. Mark A. Keeton (Harding) is a victim of the era’s closed-minded sexuality. Victor Albaum (Billy Bibbit) is a different type of victim. Doug Stone (Cheswick), Michael Selkirk (Scanlon), Sean MacBride Murray (Martini) and Paul Terkel (Ruckley) respond to McMurphy’s encouragement. As the aides, Lenny Thomas, Kyle Kirkpatrick and Steven Martin grimly, and sometimes sadistically, illustrate the personalities necessary to perform their jobs. Maria Prudente is timid young Nurse Flinn, while Jacklyn Collier and Alexandra Kopko are her polar opposites as McMurphy’s “visitors.” Michael S. Horowitz portrays Dr. Spivey, who may aspire to play fair, but is no match for formidable Nurse Ratched. As expected, the day room is stark and drab. A few folding chairs and tables can be viewed from the nursing station, “stage left.” Since every seat is just inches from the stage, the audience feels the intense pull of the actor’s emotions and their unfortunate circumstances. Bravo! Kudos to the entire production and creative staff, including Greg Cicchino (director), John Arthur Long (associate director), Aaron Gonzalez (production designer), Rafaella Rossi (stage manager), Christina Perry (producer), Nick Fondulis (fight choreographer), Greg Russ (supplemental sound design) and Kelsey Bowens and Christian Neely (scenic artists), Rebecca Kollmer (poster design). Chain Theatre is located at 21-28 45th Road in Long Island City. Surf to www.variationstheatregroup. com or call the box office at 646-580-6003. As always, save me a seat on the aisle. A VIEW FROM THE CLIFF BY CLIFF KASDEN Photo courtesy Chain Theatre Ready Ready for for Art Art College?College? HIGH SCHOOL TO ART SCHOOL (HS2AS) is a FREE portfolio preparation HIGH SCHOOL TO ART SCHOOL (HS2AS) is a FREE portfolio preparation program program designed designed to to help help you you get get there.there. Our students have been accepted to schools such as the Our students have been accepted to schools such as the Cooper Union, Pratt, Parsons, SAIC, RISD Cooper Union, Pratt, Parsons,with over SAIC,$1.8M RISD in scholarships. with over $1.8M in scholarships. SHARE with your STUDENTS this OPPORTUNITY for ART COLLEGE preparation! SHARE with your STUDENTS this OPPORTUNITY for ART COLLEGE SPRING PROGRAM preparation!(Feb – May 2015) Intro to Portfolio Prep – High School Sophomores and Juniors: 10 Saturdays, 9am to 2pm. Art skills training, portfolio SPRING preparation,PROGRAM museum/(Feb gallery/– May studio 2015) visits, Career Info day Intro to Portfolio Prep – High with School art industry Sophomores professionals and Juniors: 10 Saturdays, 9am to 2pm. Art skills training, portfolio preparation, museum/gallery/studio visits, Career Info day with art Please submit an application at queenscouncilarts.industry professionals org/hs2as-application and schedule your interview time between 9am to 2pm. Please submit an application at queenscouncilarts.org/hs2as-application and schedule your Queens Council on the Arts interview time between 9am to 2pm. 37-11 35th Avenue, Entrance on 37th Street Queens Council on the Arts Astoria, NY 11101 37-11 35th Avenue, Entrance on 37th Street Astoria, NY 11101 For more information, email HS2AS program coordinator at qcaeducation@gmail.com. SUMMER AND FALL PROGRAMS also available: For more information, email HS2AS program coordinator at qcaeducation@gmail.com. SUMMER PROGRAM (July – Aug 2015) SUMMER AND FALL PROGRAMS also available: Boot Camp Session – Rising High School Juniors and Seniors SUMMER PROGRAM (July – Aug 2015) 6 Weeks, Monday – Thursday Art skills training, portfolio Boot Camp preparation,Session – college Rising High application School Juniors & financial and Seniors aid information assistance, exclusive portfolio reviews by college reps, exhibition of work 6 Weeks, Monday – Thursday FALL PROGRAM (Oct 2015 – Feb 2016) Art skills training, portfolio preparation, college application & financial aid information assistance, Seniors Intensive Session – High School Seniors only 13 Thursday evenings and 13 Saturday sessions exclusive portfolio reviews by college reps, exhibition of work FALL PROGRAM (Oct 2015 – Feb 2016) Art skills training, portfolio preparation, museum/gallery/studio visits, visiting artist workshops, college Seniors application Intensive &Session financial – High aid School information Seniors only assistance, exclusive portfolio reviews by college reps 13 Thursday evenings and 13 Saturday sessions HS2AS is a program of Queens Council on the Arts, a 501(c)3 organization to Art skills training, portfolio preparation, museum/gallery/studio visits, visiting artist workshops, college application & financial aid information assistance, exclusive portfolio reviews by college foster and develop arts and culture in Queens. Check out our website reps for application deadlines and forms at queenscouncilarts.org/hs2as-application HS2AS is a program of Queens Council on the Arts, a 501(c)3 organization to foster and develop arts and culture in Queens. Check out our website for application deadlines and forms at queenscouncilarts.org/hs2as-application Making their Queens Theatre debut, JESSICA LANG DANCE brilliantly transforms classical ballet language into artfully crafted contemporary works. Hailed as “A master of visual composition” by “Dance Magazine,” the company seamlessly weaves mysterious music and striking design elements to create fearless, deeply emotional work. April 25 & 26 Saturday at 2pm & 8pm, Sunday at 3pm Single Tickets: $42 Member price: $38 Rear seating: $25 Box Office: 718.760.0064 www.queenstheatre.org Jessica Lang Dance “ Completely original, and performed with pristine technique.” -Broadwayworld.com
QC04162015
To see the actual publication please follow the link above