Death Panel
By KAREN SHADE, 01/21/2010
Starr Hardgrove (left), Amy Lee, Heather Sams, John Cruncleton and Cassie Hollis get into character for the Nightingale Theater's production of "The Grace Project." SHERRY BROWN / Tulsa World
'Grace Project' is part two of end-of-life plays
Many people chant free speech, but few take that liberty to the extent of a Nightingale Theater show.
Theater owner and artistic director John Cruncleton would dare any "true patriot" to try one on. "The Grace Project," which opens Friday, could be a good primer — satirical, sincere, silly, absurd and even schmaltzy at times.
What does this collection of short scenes, monologues and musical numbers have in common? Death.
"Blending them all helps it all go down a little easier," Cruncleton said. "One thing American culture does well is blend the high with the low."
"The Grace Project" is the second of a two-part work commissioned by Grace Hospice, a company providing sensitive end-of-life care to terminally ill patients, as well as support to their loved ones.
Cruncleton and the rest of the Nightingale gang delivered "Government Death Cheese," the first part, in September as an irreverent play on then-current health care reform negotiations told through Cruncleton's shadow puppetry.
Subtitled, "A Decomposition on Dying American," it featured a character who checks into a hospital and faces the "death panels" bantered about late last summer by some opponents to the proposed measures.
Part two, however, is more in line with the "traditional" 50Swats shows — think the revue-like "Old Fashioned Poison Candy" Halloween treats. Collaborating actors write and perform short vignettes. Some are humorous, others darker. Many combine both or play on absurdities, but they always work within a common theme. This time, the theme continues with death.
Characteristic of those 50Swats shows of the past, "The Grace Project" avoids putting a tight rein on the work.
"You know, I wish we had that," Cruncleton said. "We lack any kind of moral regulation or have self-editors."
Some work is more sincere in its approach, while other pieces seem built to push people off their equilibrium.
"We're not seeking to disturb the audience, necessarily," he said, "but there are pieces that do."
THE GRACE PROJECT
When: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Jan. 22-23 and 29-30.
Where: Nightingale Theater, 1416 E. Fourth St.
Tickets are $8. For more, call 633-8666