LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Theatre Co. actors are in rehearsals for the upcoming production of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.”

The play, adapted from the Ken Kesey novel for the stage by Dale Wasserman, will open Friday, Feb. 22, and run three weeks through Sunday, March 10, at Gard Street School Auditorium in Kelseyville.

“We are starting to believe that these characters we play are real,” said new actor, Jesse Hollar. “It’s fun to try to get inside the head of someone else and react the way they would instead of the way you would. I’m really beginning to know ‘Dr. Spivey’.”

Hollar is one of several new actors in this production. Another one is Jim Steward who plays Chief Bromden.

“If you told me a year ago that I would be doing this, I would have told you that you were crazy,” said Steward. “I like this character, though. He’s caught between the beliefs of his heritage and the people who have failed those beliefs. He withdraws … but he doesn’t go away entirely. He’s still in there.”

Mike Williams is not new to theater. He has actually had a lead role in several productions before real life employment schedules got in the way.

“My character is not that good a guy but it is fun bringing him to life, particularly with the other great actors around me. This cast has real talent,” he said.

Being an actor was not what Larry Richardson had in mind when someone talked him into auditioning for “To Kill a Mockingbird” in Ukiah, but here he is, one year later, performing in his third play within a year.

“I like this play because my wife is in it with me,” Richardson said. “And I get to play a guy with two personalities – and he isn’t even one of the patients. This play has a bunch of twists and turns in it. It’s funny and wild and sad, all at the same time. I really like it.”

Tickets to this dark adult comedy will go on sale Friday, Feb. 1, at locations to be announced.

For more information, call 707-279-2595.