Missing Whole Bowl Experience

After reading Don Heckman’s review of the recent “Fireworks Finale: Party of the Century” with John Mauceri and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra (“Sparklers, Duds at Fireworks Finale,” Sept. 20), it has become evident that Heckman is not interested and perhaps even holds contempt for Mauceri and the orchestra. In his review, Heckman concluded a perfect season of mean-spirited and uninformed reviews of the Bowl orchestra.

Two factual inaccuracies that illuminate this contention:

* In the review of the “Swing Night” program of Sept. 10-11 (“Missteps Keep Bowl Show From Swinging,” Sept. 13), he complimented the orchestra on its “intriguing orchestral arrangements of ‘Satin Doll,’ ‘Caravan’ and ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).’ ” If Heckman had paid attention, he would have realized that the orchestra did not play “Satin Doll” (though it was listed in the program and originally was to have been played, the substitution was mentioned by Mauceri from the stage), but instead played Henry Mancini’s “Theme From Peter Gunn.” I would hope that Heckman, as a longtime jazz critic, could tell the difference between the two pieces.

* In his review of the “Finale,” he wrote that Ann Miller’s selection of Stephen Sondheim’s “I’m Still Here” “seemed strangely out of sync with her program of vintage MGM musical numbers.” It is unclear where he got the notion that Miller was singing MGM musical numbers only. In her stage remarks she talked about the “old glory days” of MGM and Mauceri’s commitment to restoring music from this time, but clearly explained why, and appropriately so, she chose to sing “I’m Still Here.”

Heckman’s dismissal of Alan Cumming and Lea DeLaria as “modest talents” shows his lack of understanding of and appreciation for two of today’s hottest Broadway and Hollywood talents. I am reminded of Heckman’s dismissive review of Peter, Paul and Mary, who performed with the orchestra over the July 4 weekend (“ ‘Puff,’ Then Magic Fireworks at the Bowl,” July 5). Here he referred to the trio as a “nostalgia act,” albeit “well-tuned,” and the orchestra as playing with our “characteristic bland efficiency.”

Further, it is quite curious that Heckman’s review of the “Finale” concert does not once mention the conductor, John Mauceri.

During the Sept. 17-19 weekend, close to 50,000 people were thrilled by the performances of Mauceri and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and our guests Charlotte Church, DeLaria, Cumming, Miller and, yes, Mayor Richard Riordan, who considered our party important enough for him to make his conducting debut. Seven standing ovations on Friday (the evening on which Heckman attended), and almost as many on Saturday and Sunday, prove that Heckman is out of touch with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra experience.

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