Showcase Syndrome

Don Shirley’s column on the decision not to extend “The Boys in the Band” brought to mind what I have always suspected: that the perception of theater in Hollywood is that it is nothing more than a showcase for the television and movie industry (Stage Watch, May 9).

The comment that one of the actors made--”the production didn’t last long enough to accommodate the Hollywood casting powers they hoped would see their performances”--is what is at the root of all Hollywood theater problems.

The theater is thought of as a showcase for actors who want to be seen by agents, casting directors, etc. God forbid that any actor would mourn the closing of a play because the writer’s message was important and not enough of an audience was able to see it, or that the play could have raised more money for charity. Somewhere there is a conflict of purpose between raising money for Equity Fights AIDS and getting industry people in to see actors.

The writer’s agent was quite correct. It was generous of Mr. Crowley to allow 20 performances without royalties. I don’t know how much money Crowley has made as a writer in the last 25 years, but royalties are royalties and to waive them is extraordinary.

At some point in history Los Angeles could become a theater town. It would seem logical with the number of theater people who have migrated here. But this will never happen as long as the people in the theater community think of themselves in the subservient position of auditioning for “the Industry.”

MILTON JUSTICE

Artistic Director

The World Theatre

Los Angeles