Ottawa theater group to produce “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”

A popular book that was made into an award winning movie is also a drama that will be performed in Ottawa this spring.

“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” is the next play by WilleyWorld Community Productions. The theater group is run by professional actor Walt Willey.

The play is about a group of patients at a mental hospital, particularly one street-smart patient and his ongoing power struggle with the head nurse.

The cast calls for 12 men and four women. You don’t need to have theater experience to try out. Auditions will be from 3-5pm Saturday and from 1-4pm Sunday at the Ottawa Dance Academy in Ottawa.

The play will run sometime in March or April.

Tickets on sale for “A Christmas Carol”

The classic story, “A Christmas Carol” has been remade and transformed into versions featuring The Muppets, Mickey Mouse, and more. You can enjoy another take on the traditional story at Engle Lane Theater in Streator.

A cast will perform the story reader’s theater style during which they read from scripts. Steve Myers will read the role of Ebenezer Scrooge while Mary Morgan will narrate.

Performances are Saturday, December 13 at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 10-12. It’s not recommended for children younger than 10.

A classic thriller opens Sunday at Engle Lane Theater

After a summer theater season of musicals, sit back and enjoy a play rich in character and dialogue. The thriller Dial M for Murder opens Sunday at Engle Lane Theater in Streator.

Larry Kelsey is the director. It’s actually his second time directing the play because he loves it that much.  He enjoys the dialogue especially when it is performed well.  He thinks his cast will do it justice.

The cast includes Greg Tullis as the husband that’s plotting his wife’s murder and Karen Lessman as the wife. You’ll also see performances by Ken Schroeder and Bill Gillespie.

You can get tickets for 15 dollars a piece through the Engle Lane box office. Performances run Sunday through next Saturday. 

Learn more by listening to an interview that’s available at the WLPO AM and FM news page.