Light Opera

It is apparent to any ex-subscriber (of which I am one) that the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera no longer exists (Stage Watch, by Sylvie Drake, Aug. 4).

Several years ago, the Nederlander Organization took away the “Los Angeles Civic” portion of the title when it began to import second-rate road companies like “South Pacific,” “Me and My Gal” and “Sugar,” instead of generating new and exciting productions right here in Los Angeles.

Now it seems they are willing to smite the “Light Opera” portion of their name with the addition of one piano concert by Michael Feinstein (albeit a brilliant one I recently saw at the Hollywood Bowl this summer) and a very fine straight play along with its two road companies that have been playing across the country.

(After dumping my LACLO tickets, I found Long Beach Civic Light Opera and California Music Theater to be a bargain. Their productions are terrific, especially Long Beach’s recent “Wizard of Oz.”)

JOHN R. CARROLL

Van Nuys