Stage Fight

As a member of New Orleans' theater community, I take offense at your recent article about Lane Savadove—or, more precisely, I take offense at his assessment of the state of theater in post-Katrina New Orleans [Arts, "Ego Boosters," Steve Cohen, Nov. 17, 2005].

Theater is, in fact, coming back to New Orleans. Many of us have productions either up and running now or in rehearsal for December—not only in Metairie, Kenner and the Northshore suburbs, but in New Orleans proper. (In fact, I'm currently working with an actor/designer from Philadelphia on one of those December shows.) Still more productions are planned for the start of the new year. And the first major meeting of actors, directors, stage managers and designers was held just this week in an effort to coordinate schedules and plan for a productive future. Perhaps if Savadove had bothered to speak with his peers in New Orleans, he might've known this.

In sum, with everything that's happened and the struggles that necessarily come with rebuilding a city of New Orleans' size and stature, we have enough drama queens in town at the moment. Cassandras like Savadove should limit their histrionics to the stage, or perhaps not return to our strong, proud city at all.

Richard Read
New Orleans, La.

Perhaps I've become one of those slow-witted old people who so irritated me in my youth, but something about your Gift Guide has me confused [Cover, "Gifts that Say: Take Me Now," Ashlea Halpern, Nov. 17, 2005]. Were I to give an artificial phallus to a loved one, wouldn't the message be less like "Take me now!" and more like "Go take yourself!"?

Wayne W. Urffer
Via E-mail

I appreciated Mike Newall's story about my husband, Kurt Heine [News, "Criminal Negligence," Nov. 17. 2005]. On a personal note, I would add that he is an extraordinary man as well. His tendency to be nonjudgmental, coupled with his huge capacity for forgiveness makes him appear to me to be a highly spiritual person. Which would strike him and those who know him as rather funny. He is as tough as the Daily News; indeed, it has been his lifeblood for the last 22 years. But he cries at movies. Perhaps he epitomizes what the Daily News has tried and succeeded in being to Philadelphia: hard, true and full of heart.

Leslie Heine
Via E-mail

Great article on the bureaucratic bunglers attempting to f**k up a great institution [Loose Canon, "Terminal Politics," Bruce Schimmel, Nov. 10, 2005]. I have a strong feeling Mr. Ricardo Dunston's only business acumen was learned solely from college textbooks, that he himself is totally lacking in entrepreneurial skills and if left to his own devices couldn't open or operate a roadside lemonade stand. Yet this petty ***hole is a burr under the saddles of the men and women who through their own foresight, ambition, guts and hard work have forged out their great livelihoods.

Jim Ricci
Via E-mail

Great article [Cover, "Court Jester," Doron Taussig, Nov. 10, 2005]! You did it for all of us!

Pete Duncan
West Chester