‘River’ roars

HOW gracious of New York producer Rocco Landesman to concede some “moments that are moving” in the Taper’s “Big River” while pronouncing it “below Broadway’s standards” and needing a “bigger sound” (“This ‘River’ Is Surging Forward,” by Don Shirley, Dec. 25). But he thinks he can fix it. Whew! What a relief.

Some things -- possibly Big Apple chutzpah -- never change, but Broadway standards are not among them. Perhaps if Broadway and Landesman would fret less over achieving “bigger sound” -- an irony if ever there was one, given the dazzling, breakthrough dramatic technique boldly and beautifully introduced in this production -- and spend more time taking notes on how real entertainment is communicated to an audience, he and Broadway could improve their standards.

Brian L. Buckley

Los Angeles