(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre continues its powerful 2025–2026 season with Ken Kesey's electrifying stage adaptation of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, running for four performances only from February 14-21, 2026. A gripping and deeply human drama, the play is set inside a state mental institution where individuality clashes with authority.
When the rebellious Randle P. McMurphy is admitted to the ward, his presence disrupts the rigid order imposed by the formidable Nurse Ratched—igniting a battle of wills that challenges ideas of freedom, conformity, and what it truly means to be sane. By turns unsettling, darkly comic, and profoundly moving, the play remains a searing exploration of power and resistance that resonates as strongly today as ever.
"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest asks urgent questions about who holds power, whose voices are silenced, and the cost of standing up for oneself," said Pamela Ward, Executive Director of Algonquin Arts Theatre. "This production is raw, uncompromising, and deeply compassionate—exactly the kind of bold storytelling our audiences expect from Algonquin."
The cast of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest features TJ McNeill (Randle P. McMurphy), Arielle Dymyd (Nurse Ratched), Jeanpaul Isaacs (Chief Bromden), Steven Copp (Dale Harding), Garrett Gallinot (Billy Bibbit), Brendan Keffner (Cheswick), Jake Manna (Martini), John B. Gekle, Jr. (Ruckly), Michael Gonzalez (Dr. Spivey), John C. Short (Scanlon), Josh Ferro (Aide Warren), Martin Cordero (Aide Williams), Rebecca Conn (Nurse Flinn / Sandra), Philip Hickey (Colonel Matterson), Travis V. Whitaker (Aide Turkle), and Taylor Rose Frisco (Candy Starr).
Tickets start at just $27 and are available now at www.algonquinarts.org, by calling 732-528-9211, or by visiting the Algonquin Arts Theatre Box Office (Monday–Saturday, 10:00am–4:00pm) at 60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, New Jersey.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is directed by Gina Lupi. The production team includes John C. Short (Fight Choreographer), Dylan Sheppard (Dramaturg), Marissa DeVeau (Rehearsal Stage Manager), Rachel Krupnick (Production Stage Manager), Jason Greenhouse (Scenic Design), Roman Klima (Lighting Design), Emily Davis (Costume Design), Jan Topoleski (Sound Design), Joe Ficarra (Prop Design / Production Manager), and Julie Nagy (Artistic Producer).
CAST BIOS (in order of appearance)
JEANPAUL ISAACS (CHIEF BROMDEN) is making his theatrical debut in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. He would like to thank the Algonquin staff and crew for this opportunity.
JOSH FERRO (AIDE WARREN) is thrilled to once again perform at the Algonquin. Favorite credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Naphtali), Footloose (Bickle), and The Lightning Thief (Luke).
MARTIN CORDERO (AIDE WILLIAMS) is excited to be part of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at the Algonquin. Recent credits include Kinky Boots, Man of La Mancha (Captain of the Inquisition), Elf (Store Manager), and A Christmas Story (Ensemble).
ARIELLE DYMYD (NURSE RATCHED) is thrilled to return to the Algonquin stage after appearing last season as Miep Gies in The Diary of Anne Frank. Additional credits include Young Frankenstein (Igor), Sister Act (Sister Mary Lazarus), Danny and the Deep Blue Sea (Roberta), Annie (Lily St. Regis), and Hairspray (Tracy Turnblad).
REBECCA CONN (NURSE FLINN / SANDRA) is honored to begin her 2026 season with this incredible production. This marks her third show with Algonquin, last seen as Susy in Wait Until Dark (2023).
STEVEN COPP (DALE HARDING) is making his Algonquin Arts Theatre debut. Favorite roles include Sweeney Todd (Beadle Bamford), The Pirates of Penzance (Frederic), Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere), and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Simeon).
GARRETT GALLINOT (BILLY BIBBIT) previously appeared at AAT in The Diary of Anne Frank, Deathtrap, Amadeus, Mass Appeal, and A Few Good Men. Classical credits include Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, and Cyrano de Bergerac.
JOHN C. SHORT (SCANLON) is thrilled to return to Algonquin. Recent credits include The Rocky Horror Show (Frank N. Furter), 1776 (John Adams), Footloose, and The Diary of Anne Frank (Otto).
BRENDAN KEFFNER (CHESWICK) makes his Algonquin debut. Favorite roles include The Crucible (John Proctor), Amadeus (Mozart), Deathtrap (Sidney), and God of Carnage (Michael).
JAKE MANNA (MARTINI) returns to Algonquin after appearances in Shrek the Musical, Seussical, Legally Blonde, Hello, Dolly!, and A Charlie Brown Christmas.
JOHN B. GEKLE, JR. (RUCKLY) recently appeared at Algonquin in 1776 and Footloose.
PHILIP HICKEY (COLONEL MATTERSON) makes his Algonquin debut, most recently seen in Fiddler on the Roof at the Count Basie Center for the Arts.
TJ MCNEILL (RANDLE P. McMURPHY) makes his Algonquin debut. Past roles include Cabaret (Emcee), Rabbit Hole, Hamlet, Urinetown, and Sideman.
MICHAEL GONZALEZ (DR. SPIVEY) returns to AAT following The Diary of Anne Frank. Other credits include Lend Me a Tenor, California Suite, and Murder on the Nile.
TRAVIS V. WHITAKER (AIDE TURKLE) recently appeared in A Soldier's Play and earned an Audelco Award for Best Ensemble Performance with Black Spectrum Theatre.
TAYLOR ROSE FRISCO (CANDY STARR) makes her Algonquin onstage debut. Favorite credits include Our Town, Amadeus, Dracula, and Crimes of the Heart.
Algonquin Arts Theatre (AAT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit center for performing arts, providing cultural enrichment and arts education for residents and visitors of Central New Jersey and the Jersey Shore through high-quality performances and programs in theatre, music, dance, and film.
Located in Manasquan, N.J., AAT is an integral part of the Shore region, offering broad access to arts experiences across multiple disciplines. Deeply committed to education, AAT serves students of all ages through instruction and through the unique conversation that exists between performer and audience.
Algonquin Arts Theatre's programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Funding is also provided by the PNC Foundation, New Jersey Cultural Trust, the Provident Bank Foundation, the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, and the generosity of businesses and patrons.
