Theater Reviews : ‘Nest’: Hotbed of High Emotion : The Theatre District brings to vivid life the tragicomic adventures of R.P. McMurphy and his nuthouse pals.

COSTA MESA — You may have had your heart broken by Ken Kesey’s unforgettable novel ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” or been blown away by the 1975 film version, which won five major Oscars. Dale Wasserman’s stage adaptation, yet another powerful retelling of the tragicomic adventures of R.P. McMurphy and his nuthouse pals, is being brought to vivid, memorable life by the Theatre District in Costa Mesa. If you know “Cuckoo’s Nest,” and especially if you don’t, you don’t want to miss it.

“Cuckoo’s Nest” is a large play, with a big cast (17 actors), a highly theatrical setting (the day room of a state mental hospital) and big emotions. The tale of how McMurphy revolutionizes and eventually liberates the inmates of the horrific Nurse Ratched’s pristine and loveless day room is as intense as a prison epic, as screwball as a drunken family reunion and as personal as your own darkest dreams. Director Joan Lescot has put together an impressive ensemble and is getting some truly amazing performances out of her cast.

Kennedy York is heartbreakingly true as Billy, the stuttering, virginal mama’s boy. Brian Harvey is very funny as the manic Cheswick, and Omar Barba, Michael Carter, Robert Germon and Michael Urdaneta each bring remarkable concentration and courage to their characterizations. Victor Santana doesn’t yet inhabit the role of McMurphy, but a few more performances could bring the swagger and the need into just the right balance. Nancy Petersen’s Nurse Ratched is an ice-cold demon, as tightly wound as her prim, peroxide-treated hair roll. As the Chief, Mario Lescot, with his basset-hound eyes and wonderful stature, is perfectly cast. His transformation from fey victim to warrior reborn is marred only by his prerecorded monologues, which are murky-sounding and hard to understand.

*

Director Lescot has achieved a focused, honest production, which is no small feat given that there are almost always eight or more actors onstage, and as “crazy” people, they have a lot of license to steal scenes. Moreover, she has done all this in a room so small it redefines the word intimate.

Fair warning: Audience area was reduced to accommodate the play, so seating is limited, and some of the back-row sight lines are tricky. You will have to keep shifting to see everything, but you won’t be able to help yourself. You won’t want to miss a moment.

* “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” the Theatre District, 1599 Superior Ave . , Suite B2, Costa Mesa. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 7 p.m. Ends April 9. $15. (714) 548-7671. Running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes.

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Victor Santana: R.P. McMurphy

Nancy Petersen: Nurse Ratched

Mario Lescot: Chief Bromden

Robert Germon: Dale Harding

Kennedy York: Billy Bibbit

Brian Harvey: Cheswick

Michael Carter: Martini

Omar Barba: Scanlon

Michael Urdaneta: Ruckly

Jeff Bickel: Dr. Spivey

Randy Bushnell: Aide Warren

Gilbert Clark: Aide Williams

Paula Fell: Nurse Flinn

Tim Rhone: Aide Turkle

Autumn Hafenfeld: Candy Starr

Suzan Kane: Sandra

Bruce Beckman: Technician

A Theatre District production. Written by Dale Wasserman. Directed by Joan Lescot. Produced by Bonnie Vise. Stage Manager: Bruce Beckman.