OVATIONS

I was tickled both pink and blue by Don Shirley’s coverage of the Theatre LA Ovation Awards (Theater Notes, Nov. 19), which referred three times to the event’s “scripted remarks” and quoted them at length . . . but neglected to name the writer. (Namely me.)

Screenwriters may get used to remaining nameless (Billy Wilder: “People think the actors make up the words as they go along”). But come on, this is theater. In lieu of any cash, at least give us some credit.

Also unmentioned in the article were Ovation producers Larry O’Connor and Alisa Fishbach, and Theatre LA Executive Director Bill Freimuth--the hard-working, wise-cracking team who should share writer’s credit for their contributions (notably the gag that provided Shirley’s last-graph punch-line).

STEVE HAYES

Hollywood