Hollywood Bowl Shell

* Re “Hollywood Bowl May Shed Famous Shell,” Aug. 26: I’m wondering exactly what it is that the preservationists wish to preserve. The crumbling shell has been so changed in the last 30 years, it is not even a “shell” of its former self. The renovation will not only restore the previous decor, it will resolve an acoustical issue which has plagued it for as long as I can remember, and I’ve had seats at the Bowl since the 1960s.

This problem of the musicians’ inability to hear each other has been a problem for years and the Band-Aid approach to resolution to which John Mauceri refers has done nothing to resolve the issue. If the current configuration was at all similar to past designs, there might be something to the preservationists’ argument. But the shell has been so radically changed, it no longer makes sense. The shell doesn’t represent history, just a lot of good money thrown after bad.

MICHAEL SOLOMON

Los Angeles