Cuckoo's Nest and La Mancha Scribe Dale Wasserman Dead at 94

Playwright and screenwriter Dale Wasserman, known for two Broadway hits, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Man of La Mancha has died, according to The New York Times. The cause was congestive heart failure. He was 94.

Wasserman was born on November 2, 1914 in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. His formal education ended after one year of high school in Los Angeles. He worked in many aspects of theater, including lighting design and stage management. Once Wasserman devoted himself to writing, he rose became the much awarded scribe of over 80 plays and screenplays. He is best known for his 1963 stage adaptation of Ken Kesey’s novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and the book for the Tony-winning musical Man of La Mancha featuring music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion, which debuted on Broadway in 1965, ran for over five years and has enjoyed four revivals. He also wrote the screenplay for the film version. Wasserman was prolific and also penned many articles for newspapers and magazines as well as a book, The Impossible Musical.

“I have the usual passel of Tonies, Emmies, Robbies, Ellies and maybe even a couple Kaspars and Hausers,” Wasserman has said about his lauded career, “I'm unsure because I don't attend awards ceremonies. I lack an education but hold Doctorates from three universities, an oddity which anyone who cares may puzzle over.”

He is survived by his wife, Martha Nelly Wasserman.