[NEohioPAL]ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST at Porthouse Theatre

[emadden]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

THE MAGIC OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT SOARS IN 
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO=92S NEST
Sue Ott Rowlands directs this inspiring comedy at Porthouse Theatre

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio =96 Randle P. McMurphy and fellow asylum members come to 
life on the grounds of Porthouse Theatre.  ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST 
runs July 4th =9620th.  Preview performance is July 4th at 8 PM and opening 
night is July 5th also at 8 PM.  Sue Ott Rowlands, co-founder of the Cleveland 
Theatre Women=92s Project, will direct this critically acclaimed play.  The 
opening night performance, July 5th will be followed by a free champagne 
reception.  Porthouse Theatre is partnering with the American Foundation for 
Suicide Prevention of Northeast Ohio (AFSP NE OH) for this moving production.

=93=85.a powerful exploration of both the inner beauty and danger of being an 
original.=94

Randle P. McMurphy=92s journey through sanity and individuality to comes to life 
at Porthouse Theatre in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST.  Randle P. McMurphy 
is a man trying to avoid time in a workhouse so he chooses to spend time in a 
mental institution.  Little does McMurphy know that he will teach the other 
inmates the beauty and danger of being an original in a world that is full of 
rules.  This hilarious and moving comedy is directed by Sue Ott-Rowlands, 
Artistic Director and co-founder of the Cleveland Theatre Women=92s Project.  
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST previews on July 4th and opens July 5th.  A 
free champagne reception will follow the opening night performance.  The 
production will run until July 20th with performances Tuesday =96 Saturday at 8 
PM and Sunday at 2 PM on the grounds of the beautiful Blossom Music Center.

As part of the outreach program for the 2002 season, Porthouse Theatre will be 
partnering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention of Northeast 
Ohio (AFSP NE OH).  AFSP NE OH is dedicated to advancing our knowledge of 
suicide and our ability to prevent it.  The Northeast Ohio branch of AFSP 
provides school residency programs in the Cleveland Public Schools that 
educate troubled youths to help prevent teenage suicide.  Porthouse Theatre 
hopes to raise enough money to sponsor several of these residency programs.  
Opening weekend of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, July 5th =96 7th will be 
dedicated to AFSP NE OH.  Four dollars of every full-priced ticket purchased 
will be donated directly to AFSP NE OH.  For more information on this 
organization visit www.afsp.org.
 
The cast of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST includes
Sue Ott Rowlands (Director) has over 20 years of experience in professional 
theatre.  She is currently an Associate Professor and the Head of Acting and 
Directing at Ohio State University, but will be joining the University of 
Toledo in the fall as Chair of the department of Theatre and Film.  She is the 
Artistic Director and co-founder for the Cleveland Women=92s Theatre Project and 
former Associate Artistic Director of Round House Theatre in Washington, DC.  
As a director she has worked extensively in Washington, DC, Columbus and in 
Cleveland at Dobama Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Beck Center and The Halle 
Theatre.  Ms. Ott Rowlands has been on the acting faculties of numerous 
university and professional training programs throughout the country 
including: Circle-in-the-Square, New York University, and AMDA all in New York 
City, Webster University in St. Louis and the Cleveland Play House.  She 
presently divides her time between Columbus (soon Toledo) and Shaker Heights 
where she lives with her husband Rob and her daughters, Carlie and Abby.


Daniel Benko+ (Chronic/Technician/U/S Billy Bibbitt) is thrilled to be making 
his Porthouse debut this summer.  Favorite credits include: PIPPIN (Leading 
Player), INTO THE WOODS(Wolf/Cinderella's Prince), SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, 
SWEENEY TODD(Tobias), SIDE SHOW(Geek/Dance Captain), OKLAHOMA (Curly), 
BRIGADOON(Charlie), CURSE OF THE STARVING CLASS(Wesley), TWELFTH NIGHT 
(Sebastian), THE TEMPEST (Ariel), RIGOLETTO at The Cleveland Opera and VIOLET.
 He is a junior Musical Theatre major at Baldwin-Wallace College.  He would 
like to thank his friends and family for their support.
 
Tricia Bestic+ (Sandy) is delighted to return to Porthouse after portraying 
Mary Jane in last season's BIG RIVER.  This year Tricia was seen as the 
screaming mom in the trailer for Cleveland's 26th annual International Film 
Festival.  Other roles include: CITY OF ANGELS(Mallory), ROCKY HORROR(Janet), 
EATING RAOUL (Dominatrix), A NEW BRAIN (Waitress/ Mean Nurse), IT'S A 
WONDERFUL LIFE (Mary Bailey), THE KING AND I(Anna) and Julie in CAROUSEL.

Damian Bowerman+ (Dr. Spivey) holds a B.A. in Theatre Performance from The 
University of Findlay and an M.F.A. in Acting from Ohio State University.  
Recent OSU appearances include, Simon Eyre in THE SHOEMAKER'S HOLIDAY and 
Alistar in da da kamera's A BEAUTIFUL VIEW (Wexner Center).  Some recent 
acting jobs include, Antonio in TEMPEST (The Actors' Theatre Company, 
Columbus) and John D. Rockefeller (Ohio Chautauqua).  He thanks God, his wife 
Marlene and all of his family for their cornucopia of blessings.

Donald Clark+ (Billy Bibbitt) is honored to be involved with his first 
production with Porthouse Theatre. He is currently a graduate student at Ohio 
State University, working towards an MFA in Acting.  Donald comes to us from 
the foothills of Virginia.  In his spare time, Donald enjoys playing guitar, 
singing, drumming and laughing.

Freddie A. Cox+ (Aide Turkle) has been involved in over 20 productions both on 
stage and on screen.  Stage productions include: BARBER SHOP, PIANO LESSON, 
TWO TRAINS RUNNING, and Paramount Film: WONDER BOY. He's just completed 
writing a two-act play (THE ALLEY) and began another (MAY I SPEAK WITH ALL). 
Freddie is also creating an anthology of short poems. He received a Bachelor 
of Arts Degree from Cleveland State University, where his major course of 
studies included Drama, and Creative Writing.

Annie Fitzpatrick* (Nurse Ratched) just completed a run of WOMEN WHO STEAL at 
Florida Stage and at the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati where she is a company 
member.  Her favorite roles there include DINNER WITH FRIENDS (Karen), THE 
COUNTESS (Lady Eastlake), EARHART (Amelia), POOR SUPERMAN(Kryla).  Other 
favorites are SPINNING INTO BUTTER (Sarah)at C.A.T.C.O. and TO KILL A 
MOCKINGBIRD (Jean Louise) at The Human Race Theatre. New York credits include 
WAITING FOR LEFTY(Florrie) with The New Group, TALLEY'S FOLLY (Sally) with 
Manhattan Rep. Co. and touring with MURDER A LA CARTE.  She has appeared in 
soaps, commercials, and in the films MILK MONEY, TO BE, and THIS TRAIN.      .

Michael Greyeyes* (Chief Bromden) is a student in the MFA Acting program at 
Kent State University. He is delighted to be appearing in his first production 
at Porthouse Theatre.  Michael is Cree, from the Muskeg Lake First Nation in 
Saskatchewan. He has appeared in a number of feature film and television 
projects, including DANCE ME OUTSDIE, CRAZY HORSE, SKIPPED PARTS, SMOKE 
SIGNALS, and ZIGZAG.  Most recently he has just finished filming, SKINWALKERS, 
for the PBS Mystery Theatre. The film was directed by Chris Eyre and based on 
the Tony Hillerman novel of the same name. This summer, in addition to 
appearing at Porthouse, we can see him in the new John Sayles film, SUNSHINE 
STATE. Michael would especially like to thank Terri Kent, Sue Ott Rowlands, 
and John Crawford for this amazing opportunity..

Kenderick Hardy+ (Aide Warren) is a native of Eutaw, Alabama and is currently 
working on his MFA with a focus in Acting at Ohio State University.  He 
received his BA from Alabama State University in Theatre, where he was under 
the direction of Stage and Film Actress, Dr. Tommie Tonea Stewart.  He is also 
a Spoken Word Poet, and has recently release his first Spoken Word Poetry 
Album, Apollo's Poetics.

Adam Hoffman+ (Anthony Martini) is a 2nd year MFA acting major at Kent State 
University.  He has performed in many shows at Kent.  Favorite roles include: 
Alceste in THE MISANTHROPE, Amos in CHICAGO and REACH IN DOWN THE ROAD.  He 
has performed throughout Northeastern Ohio. Adam is also the Director of the 
Cain Park School for the Arts.  He sends thanks to all of his friends, family, 
cast and crew.

Adam Day Howard+ (Chronic/Technician/U/S Martini) is more than delighted to be 
involved with Porthouse Theatre for the first time this summer.  It is always 
exciting for him to try something new and something familiar at the same time.
 He has been acting since the age of 11.  Adam made his Kent State theatre 
debut in last season's musical SIDE SHOW as The Geek and he is very 
enthusiastic about his remaining years at Kent.  Thanks Mom & Dad!

Nick Koesters (Frank Scanlon) likes to act.  Some people have enjoyed him as 
Benedick in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING with the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, 
Strymodorous  in LYSISTRATA or in any of the other numerous shows he's done at 
Dobama, Beck Center, Cleveland Public Theatre or the Halle JCC.  Nick lives in 
Tremont with 2 ferrets:  Pete and Lucy, a singing cat named Otis and his 
beautiful wife; Carolyn, whom he loves very much..

Nathan A. Lilly+ (Aide Williams) is thrilled to make his debut at Porthouse 
Theatre this summer.  Mr. Lilly works in Audience Development at The Cleveland 
Play House and in the theatre programs at St. Edward and St. Richard Schools.  
Favorite credits include:  Midwest Premier of A NEW BRAIN, (Victoria Bussert); 
Cain Park's DAMN YANKEES(Terri Kent); INTO THE WOODS, CRAZY FOR YOU, BUYS & 
DOLLS and Northeast Ohio Premieres of SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD and HONK!.  Nathan 
will be directing Anything Goes this summer at Brecksville Theatre on the 
Square. "Thanks be to God, The Fam and The Crew!"

Marty Lodge* (Randle P. McMurphy) recently played Doc Gibbs to Pat Carroll's 
Stage Manager in OUR TOWN at the Round House Theatre in Bethesda, Maryland. He 
has appeared in over 25 shows at Round House, including UNCLE VANYA, THREE 
DAYS OF RAIN, and TWO ROOMS, directed by Sue Ott Rowlands. Other recent 
Washington productions include OF MICE AND MEN and A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at 
Arena Stage, RICHARD II at The Shakespeare Theatre, and AS YOU LIKE IT at the 
Folger Theatre. Film and TV appearances include HOMICIDE, CECIL B. DEMENTED, 
THE DAY LINCOLN WAS SHOT, and the upcoming GODS AND GENERALS.

Jenni Lou Oakes+ (Candy) will begin her third and final year in Kent State 
University's MFA Acting program this fall.  Prior to coming to Kent she worked 
as a stand-up comic in comedy clubs around the country.  Jenni Lou has been a 
television weather babe in Alaska, the soprano soloist for the New Mexico 
Philharmonic Symphony, host of a video series for the National Park Service 
and a successful textbook model.

Nathan Peters+ (Ruckly Understudy) has been seen in numerous productions in 
Northeast Ohio including Kent State's production of CHICAGO most recently.  
This is his first summer at Porthouse Theatre.  He would like to thank his 
friends and family for their love and support over the year s and most of all 
he thanks his parents, Terry and Nancy Peters for their love, inspiration and 
bringing him in to the world of theatre.

Regina Rockensies+ (Nurse Flinn) recently graduated from Ohio State University 
with her MFA in Acting.  She is please to be making her professional debut at 
Porthouse Theatre.  Favorite productions at OSU include: ST. JOAN OF 
STOCKYARDS (Joan), THE SHOEMAKER'S HOLIDAY (Rose), ELEKTRA (Lead Chorus) and 
WIT (EM Ashford).  Regina is originally from Brooklyn, NY and now resides in 
Pennsylvania.

Christopher J. Seiler+ (Ruckly/U/S Harding, McMurphy) is happy to be returning 
for his third season with Porthouse Theatre. Previous Porthouse credits 
include '94 production of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (Balthazar), last season's 
BIG RIVER (Silas Phelps).  Other regional credits include 1776 ( Judge 
Wilson), LYSISTRA (Kinesios) and TARTUFFE (Mme. Pornelle).  Chris is entering 
his third year in Kent State University's MFA Acting program.

Michael Sherman+ (Chronic/Technician/U/S Scanlon, Warren, Williams) is pleased 
to be making his Porthouse debut this summer.  A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, 
Michael is a theatre major at Baldwin-Wallace College.  Some of his recent 
shows include TARTUFFE, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRRE, 
SHENANDOAH and WAITING FOR GODOT.  Michael would like to thank his family and 
friends and hopes you enjoy the show.

Dudley Swetland* (Dale Harding) is happy to return to Porthouse Theatre where 
last summer he appeared as Pap Finn in BIG RIVER.  The past spring he filmed 
THE MIRACLE DOG, which will be released sometime in 2003.  Dudley has appeared 
as Scrooge for the past 5 holiday seasons at the Great Lake s Theatre Festival 
and hopes to repeat that role this year.  After this production, he will be 
appearing in the Berea Summer Theatre production of THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER 
as Sheridan Whiteside.

Rohn Thomas* (Charles Cheswick) is delighted to return to Porthouse.  He was 
last seen as Reverend Brown in INHERIT THE WIND.  Since then he has acted at 
the Cleveland Play House and Great Lakes Theater Festival.  He was Father mark 
in TONY N' TINA'S WEDDING.  He's appeared in twenty films; the latest is 
WELCOME TO COLLINWOOD.  Rohn has directed at Beck, the Halle Theatre and 
Weathervane.  He is the father of four: Hunter, Morgan, Samuel and Kaishawn.  
He dedicates this show to his wife.

*Members Actor's Equity Association    +Actor's Equity Association Candidate
    
Single tickets can be purchased by calling the 1-800-304-2363 or 330-929-4416.
 Ticket prices range from $10 - $20 with discounts available for students and 
seniors.  Group tickets are currently available by calling the same numbers.  
Groups consist of ten or more people and prices range from $10 to $19 
depending on the size of the group and day of performance.

Porthouse Theatre was founded in 1971 and is one of only a few summer theaters 
in the area.  Set on the beautiful grounds of the Blossom Music Center, 
Porthouse offers audiences the finest in professional summer theater.   The 
comfortable 500-seat, outdoor, covered pavilion theater is located next to the 
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Cuyahoga Falls.  Audience members are 
encouraged to arrive early to picnic on the grounds or in our new picnic 
pavilion.  Picnic tables and the beautiful scenery are provided free of 
charge.  We can also pack you a picnic.  Order your boxed dinner with your 
tickets.  Experience professional, live theater, a wonderful picnic, and a 
little bit of magic all in one season.  =93The Stars Are Out & Magic Is Afoot!=94

Porthouse Theatre, the Akron-Cleveland area=92s professional summer theatre, is 
a cultural service of Kent State University.  Porthouse Theatre is a member of 
the Akron Area Arts Alliance and Porthouse Theatre=92s programs and activities 
are made possible in part by funding from the Ohio Arts Council.


Elisabeth Madden
Managing Director
emadden at kent.edu
330-672-0103 (Phone)
330-672-2889 (Fax)
330-672-2497 or 1-800-304-2363 (Box Office)

Elisabeth Madden
Managing Director
School of Theatre & Dance
Porthouse Theatre
330-672-0103
emadden at kent.edu