Performing Arts Center

Oh gosh, I just knew something like this was going to happen. I hope Martin Bernheimer is not too upset (Sept. 30). But, gee, what with having spent the last seven years concentrating on raising $70 million to build the Performing Arts Center, and well, you know, we ran out of time to give everybody cultural sophistication lessons before it opened last Monday night, and, oops, well, people screwed up and actually applauded between movements of Beethoven’s Ninth.

Please don’t be too mad at us, after all we’ve just stopped being Los Angeles’ cultural stepchildren, so we’ve got a lot to learn before we can become as sharp as the audiences in the big city. We know it’s going to be a boring season with all those groups showing up here that ain’t gonna show up in the Music Center, but please do try to overlook our shortcomings and come review them.

JOANNE REYNOLDS

Corona del Mar