it’s not what you think

Directed by FRANCISCO SOLORZANO

press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: The Playground NYLA theplaygroundnyla@gmail.com

A Bold Reimagining of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Centers a Female McMurphy in a Striking New Take on Power and Freedom, April 30- May 17th in Manhattan at Studio 17.

THe CAst

The production is anchored by a powerhouse cast of 18, led by Sayra Player (Hurricane Party at Cherry Lane, Gringo Hunters) as a revolutionary Randle P. McMurphy, playing opposite Jacqueline Knapp (The Irishman, Boardwalk Empire) as the formidable Nurse Ratched.

This reimagined ward features an elite ensemble including Salvatore Inzerillo (Broadway’s The Motherfucker with the Hat) as Chief Bromden and 4-time AUDELCO Award winner Richarda Abrams in the dual roles of Aide Turkle and Old Pete Bancini. Rounding out the primary cast are Dena Tyler (Bull, Homeland) and director Francisco Solorzano (Sins of the Mother with Ethan Hawke), who pulls double duty on stage in the role of Billy Bibbit.

Why Now?

By utilizing a gender-blind casting approach-including a female Randle P. McMurphy-this production strips away the traditional 1960s gender dynamics to expose a more universal struggle: the crushing weight of institutional authority against the fluidity of the human spirit. In this ward, the patient's diverse perspectives face a "Combine" that seeks to mechanize identity itself.

Let’s save you a some seats!

Studio 17: 13 W 17th St, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10011

ABOUT THE PRODUCERS

The Playground NYLA is a creative incubator and production company focused on method-based storytelling. Barefoot Theatre Co is an award-winning NYC/LA ensemble celebrating over 25 years of provocative theater. Pontifex Production is a multicultural production house dedicated to "bridge-building" through the arts.

Photography by Michele I. Arazi