COUNTERPUNCH LETTERS : Come See the Individual and the Show

Bravo, Calvin Remsberg! I am so relieved that someone from the “Phantom” company responded to David Butler’s letter. I myself wanted to respond, but a letter from one of the cast members carries much more weight than one from an Ahmanson usher.

As an usher, I have had the opportunity to see the performances of four different “Phantoms.” Not one has been a disappointment, and I consider myself an authority, having seen the show so many times. I find I can catch the tiniest flaw in a performance.

While taking nothing away from the amazing Michael Crawford, it is always a treat when I see on the marquee that Norman Large will be playing the title role. Large is an amazing “Phantom.”

And when Crawford was ill and Large was on vacation, we had the exciting opportunity to watch Joseph Dellger (his name was misspelled as Dellzer in Remsberg’s article) take over the role for the first time. When “Music of the Night” ended amid thunderous applause, I knew Joe had proved himself more than capable of facing up to the challenge.

I admire Large and Dellger for winning the respect of audiences despite the attitudes of people like David Butler, who represents only a minority of theatergoers.

JULIE AWABDY

Los Angeles