A New York State of Mind

Having read Michael Phillips’ Perspective (“In Search of a Play of One’s Own,” Dec. 31), I question the logic of his criticism.

Does he truly believe that “Metamorphoses,” “King Hedley II” and “Jitney” (which he praised as “world class”) shouldn’t have been at the Taper because they will be done in New York? Why should Los Angeles miss out on the best that the world has to offer? I refuse to believe that local theater is so overshadowed by outside theater that the two cannot co-exist on the same stage. To suggest as much is an insult to local playwrights and does a disservice to local theatergoers.

I liked some of the local plays and didn’t like others, and I could say the same of the “world class” offerings from “outside.” I love that new playwrights get their shot at the Taper, but it seems strange to reason that, because some of the new plays don’t quite work, we shouldn’t see the outside plays. That is remarkably cockeyed logic.

I don’t get to New York as often as Phillips, so I appreciate the opportunity to see some of the more notable works that have--or will--played there.

LEIGH WILSON

Hermosa Beach