The ‘Dancing,’ ballet reviews are right in step

AT last! There is someone aside from myself who gets so disturbed with “Dancing With the Stars” when the contestants do the rumba, the samba, the tango, the waltz to music that is not the rumba, the samba, the tango, the waltz! Lewis Segal’s review of the “Stars” dance tour was so right on [“Unlikely Partners,” Dec. 30]. It is so disorienting to those of us who know these dances were designed to go with a certain beat. To see them performed to inappropriate music is certainly a dumbing down.

Dancing the rumba to a country-western song?

Ugh.

Oh, well, at least it’s good to see touch-dancing again.

CONRAD J. DOERR

Palm Springs

*

THANK YOU to Lewis Segal for his encouraging review of the new Los Angeles Ballet performance of “Nutcracker” [L.A. Ballet -- After the Christmas Dream,” Jan. 1]. I was at the performance too and couldn’t agree more. Much to improve upon but a bold and commendable start for a new company. And let’s face it, it’s all we’ve got.

The company deserves a chance to prove itself. And it’s great to have a review that talks about potential rather than just the flaws!

MARK HELD

Los Angeles