By Jackie Demaline
The Cincinnati Enquirer

A student cast pitches itself into One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, which has a final performance at 2:30 p.m. today at College-Conservatory of Music.

It's the committed performances of the ensemble that are worth seeing; the play has dated into a wheezing Golden Moldy.

Cuckoo's Nest (the novel) is from the anti-Establishment 1960s, when author Ken Kesey sent a Savior known as Randle P. McMurphy into the day room of a mental institution, where the inhabitants are under the power of pathologically rigid Nurse Ratched. Cuckoo's Nest is the story of their rebellion.

Cuckoo's Nest's reputation is based on Milos Forman's superb 1975 film version, which benefited not just from unforgettable performances but from a killer, Oscar-winning adapted screenplay.

It's no mystery why CCM drama chose Cuckoo's Nest. It'is primarily a teaching institution, and the play offers tasty roles for an ensemble.

Some of the best work on stage is by underclassmen, which speaks to the deepening talent pool in the drama department.

The three primary roles - McMurphy, Nurse Ratched and Chief Bromden - are real reaches for actors-in-training. It's to director Richard Hess' credit that he gets them within range even as he infuses the ensemble with the Merry Prankster spirit of Up the Establishment.

Taking them in reverse order, Jon Catoe comes into his own as the Chief after he sheds his catatonic state. He's partly done in by the fact that he doesn't physically suit the role. (The Chief is supposed to tower over the other players.)

Stacey Morrison doesn't find a consistent, believable interpretation for Nurse Ratched, who is difficult to play because she is as much a symbol as a human.

Ben Zelinski has presence in the pivotal role of McMurphy and has the 'tude down cold. He's less easy as the weight of cold reality hits.

There's terrific support from the primary inmates: Jack Lazzaro, Derek Hake, Alec Bova and Eric Yellin. Sophomore Eric Kilpatrick is impressive as tortured young Billy Bibbitt.

Faculty member Thomas Umfrid's set design (so clinical you can almost smell it), anchors good work from student designers Kenneth Helvig (lighting), Rachel Maki (sound) and Erin Brooke Roth (costumes.)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, 2:30 p.m. today, Patricia Corbett Theater, CCM, University of Cincinnati, 566-4183.