LETTERS

I read “Lean, Mean and Scared” [by Reed Johnson, Jan. 28] with utter amazement. After assaulting local theater-goers with an almost unbroken string of flops, Geffen Playhouse honcho Gilbert Cates -- once a respected producer-director of quality, commercial films and plays -- is crying the financial blues.

Truth to tell, the Geffen hasn’t had a truly satisfying evening since the mesmerizing “Collected Stories” by Donald Margulies, starring the incredible Linda Lavin. And that was almost a decade ago!

Memo to Cates and other “artistic directors”: The free ride is over. When you bore an audience, that audience includes your donors and subscribers. Not all bad theater goes away with a couple of Tums!

Richard Stevens

Los Angeles