But What About the Lyrics?

While I didn’t love “Dracula,” I did enjoy myself, mostly due to the talents of director Des McAnuff and scenic designer John Arnone (“Money Talks; It May Not Sing,” by Michael Phillips, Nov. 25).

I don’t, however, agree with Phillips’ assessment of Frank Wildhorn. I found the book and lyrics to the show (not by Wildhorn) to be ridiculously amateurish and often just really bad.

I shouldn’t have been surprised, considering it was the same “Sunset Boulevard” writers that brought us the song “Let’s Do Lunch” (which was later changed to “Let’s Have Lunch” when they found out that people didn’t “do” lunch back then) and the lyric “L.A.’s changed a lot over the years since those brave Gold Rush pioneers came in their creaky covered wagons.” (Was the Gold Rush in L.A.?) I believe that with talented book and lyric writers, “Dracula” could indeed be saved and still include music by Frank Wildhorn.

His shows have sold lots of tickets, and he has lots fans out there. Phillips may not be one of them, but that doesn’t mean that Wildhorn should give up writing for musical theater.

It is frustrating, though, to see shows like “Dracula” given expensive productions just because they are associated with a “name.” But I also believe that anyone who helps promote theater and keep it alive should be allowed to do so without being subjected to name-calling.

ERIC ANDRIST

Burbank