Black, white and green

I got a laugh both from the Neil LaBute essay “The Cast System” [May 6] and the responses in the Sunday Calendar section [“Who Needs a Break?” May 20]. LaBute is off base and silly just to mention Brad Pitt for a role that he couldn’t play, nor would even consider playing. But most of the responses to the essay were just as silly. Theater producers produce plays that they think their audiences want to see. If casting a black actor in any leading role would be a huge success (make a lot of money), they would step over each other to do so. Theater is for anyone who wants to do it. If someone wants to see a black cast or a black lead in any of Shakespeare’s plays, all they have to do is put it up. No royalties need be paid. It’s yours for the taking. Why wait or expect a white person to do it?

The same is true in the world of film. If you want to do a film you can cast it anyway you want. Just go ahead and do it. Then, of course, you may run into the same problems other producers have: You have to sell it.

Good luck. See you at the movies.

STEVE BAKER

Los Angeles