Time for a Reality Check?

Thank you for the hilarious examples of self-important comments by theater artists in articles in the Calendar section Oct. 14.

Tim Robbins and the Actors’ Gang members don’t really believe that theater is “a dangerous and risk-filled place,” “thoroughly frightening” and “filled with terror, absolute horror,” do they?

David Henry Hwang, author of the revival of “Flower Drum Song,” first has the presumption to state, “It’s the book Oscar Hammerstein would have written had he been Chinese American.” It’s not for an artist to attribute his work to another. Next he says that he “expected a little more objection now than we seem to be running into.” You can almost hear the yearning in his voice for a little controversy, because a piece that is not good will often try to be self-consciously radical or controversial.

Joking aside, I wish these artists the best in these difficult times for live theater. However, I also wish that they would be realistic about the relevance of their art. A play is not life or death, just good or bad.

DOUGLAS BINNS

Los Angeles