Spellbinding theater
By KAREN SHADE, 7/13/2006
Cris Foster celebrates his victory at Nightingale Theater's adult spelling bee. Runners-up were Rob Robertson (left), April Marrs, Sara Cruncleton and John Cruncleton. Nightingale Theater will host spelling bees Thursday and again on July 27. STEPHEN PINGRY / Tulsa World
For every kid in English class who never won the spelling bee, Nightingale Theater gives adults a second chance at linguistic glory.
The theater, which is often the setting for risky productions, will host two spelling bees for grown-ups this month, one at 8 p.m. Thursday and again on July 27.
Nightingale owner John Cruncleton said the spelling bees are not theater as most people know it.
"People can participate and sign up and relive the misery of their elementary school days," he said.
The theater seems to be about reliving the past this month with these spelling bees and "Old Crow Confessions," which starts at 10 p.m. every Saturday night through July.
"Confessions" is a forum in which participants spend five minutes on the stage spilling a true confession to the audience.
Cruncleton said both shows have a certain entertainment factor.
"Yeah, (it's) watching people struggle under the footlights. It's kind of the same concept in a way, watching one person up there sweating it," he said.
Anyone who wants to participate in the spelling bees must sign up 10 minutes prior to the event. Admission is $2 and drinks are separate.
Nightingale Theater is at 1416 E. Fourth St. For more about the spelling bees and "Old Crow Confessions," call 583-8487 [As of February 2007, 633-8666].