LSPA show leads off weekend events

Published 8:27 pm Thursday, September 21, 2017

The Lafayette Theatre Company debuted their stage adaptation of ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ Thursday at the Lafayette Society for Performing Arts.

Based on the Ken Kesey novel, the play is about a man sentenced to a mental institution after faking insanity to avoid serving time at a prison farm.

Actor and co-director Austin Tidwell said the play is relatable to audiences today because of its theme of fitting in to society.

“One of the reasons that I found it just extremely relevant to all times would be that one of the main themes is the pressures of society to fall into whatever line society defines, and just the effect that can have on human beings,” Tidwell said. “(The character), Doctor Spivey, explains the treatment protocols to the new patient, and says ‘it’s because society decides who’s sane and who’s not, so you have to measure up.’ The changeability of that definition, its occasional arbitrariness, it can be rather cruel to those who are left out.”

Tidwell said the show also brings up defining one’s own freedom as another theme.

“The play is about the reawaking of the patients of their innate self-confidence and humanity,” he said.

Because the play contains mature content and language, Tidwell said he would recommend the show for those 17-years-old and up.

“It’s definitely mature subject matter. There’s mature language and mature themes,” Tidwell said. “If it were a film, it would be rated R because of the language.”

An avid fan of the book, Tidwell said the adaptation does not differ much from the source material.

“Anybody who wants to see it, come on down, especially if you’ve read the book or seen and enjoyed the film with Jack Nicholson,” he said. “It’s a bit different from the film, but certainly in the same spirit and definitely the same amount of fun.”

The show will be put on again Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. and Sept. 27 to Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. The performances will be held at the Lafayette Society for Performing Arts on 214 Bull Street.

Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for students. They can be bought online at LSPARTS.org or by calling 706-882-9909.

If you would rather join the community through food, St. Nicholas Episcopal Church will hold its 15th annual LobsterFest from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event will be held at Sweet Home Plantation Friday in Pine Mountain. Dinner will cost $60 a person and $5 for children’s hot dog meals.

If you’re more in the mood for outdoor interaction, Wild Leap Brew Company is holding their Grand Opening Saturday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will have outdoor games and a rock wall. The brewery is located at 308 Main Street. Tickets for the event can be found online at wildleap.com/events or through the events tab on the Wild Leap Brew Co. Facebook page.

If you would rather be on the water this weekend, Chattahoochee Riverkeepers will host a story telling cruise at the West Point Lake Floating Classroom Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Stories about West Point Lake inspired animals will be told by Carol Cain. The program is recommended for families with children between the ages of five and 12-years-old and is $10 per child and $20 per adult. The event starts at the Highland Marina Resort.