Shakespeare Not Described as ‘Un-American’ on Tape : Theater: Councilman Littrell said works are ‘not American,’ tape recording of meeting indicates.

City Councilman Raymond T. Littrell did not say that the works of William Shakespeare are “un-American,” as a Grove Shakespeare Festival official asserted, during recent public debate over city support of the financially troubled theater troupe.

Thomas Bradac, producing artistic director of the Festival, had told The Times that he was “surprised to hear that Littrell believes Shakespeare and the classics are un-American.”

A review of a tape recording of the City Council meeting in question revealed no use of the term “un-American.” Littrell did note that Shakespeare is not American and that he believes the troupe should concentrate on American culture.

Littrell, calling for clarification, said he believes the distinction is important because he feels that “un-American” connotes subversion, and “I don’t believe that people who go to Shakespeare are that,” he said.

“I wasn’t quoting him,” Bradac said yesterday. “I’m restating what he said. In essence, that’s what he said,” the director maintained.