Giving local handicapped theater its props
I recently attended a performance of “The Wiz” at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, staged by members of PHAMALy (Physically Handicapped Amateur Musical Actors League). While I was prepared to be moved and inspired by these courageous individuals, I have to admit the cynic in me did not have soaring expectations to see the same kind of quality performances we’ve come to expect from shows from the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Boy, was I wrong.
Sure, I was moved and inspired, but not nearly as much as I was entertained. This was great theater! Every actor on the stage has the talent and voice to contend for roles in any musical production, not just ones staged by PHAMALy. While I never saw “The Wiz” on Broadway, I can’t imagine a cast that could capture the emotion, drama, comedy and pure joy of the show better than the cast I saw. Sure, you notice the actors’ handicaps. But they are woven so seamlessly and ingeniously into the story you are convinced that’s what the playwright had in mind all along.
As I expected, I was moved to tears, not by the actors overcoming their handicaps, but by the characters they were portraying, which is what great actors should do.
Steve Feld, Englewood
Mayor Hickenlooper’s plans for a greener city
Re: “Mayor sketches out ‘Greenprint’ vision,” July 13 news story.
In an era when politicians think only of the here and now, we have a progressive-thinking representative watching over Denver. No hollow legislation here.
Our forests are burning; this concerns me more than a burning flag. Prayer in the schools? If no one steps in to help kids learn early on, all the prayers in the world won’t help our kids. Instead, we see positive steps taken to address problems now and for future generations. Green city vehicles, green streets, water conservation and a brighter future for our kids’ education.
I wish more politicians would step up to the plate and hit a homer like Mayor John Hickenlooper just did.
Bob Nyboer, Longmont
…
The Hickenlooper administration’s plans for water conservation are interesting – up to a point. But saving water by using plastic ice cubes must have been endorsed by someone with a bungee wall in his or her office, or whatever else the “creative class” is into these days. You still have to wash the plastic cubes.
My guess is that future generations will laud and remember the genuine visionaries of today who can think up ideas that go beyond growth capitalism and reach toward viable economic and social policy solutions that save the environment but also reward initiative and preserve freedom. This means less kitsch and more genuine leadership, such as discouraging the explosion of building permits, even though, for metro-area politicians, this requires biting the hand that feeds you. Other gimmicky “new” ideas such as new urbanism transparently reward the same old crowd and end up at the same place.
I’m betting that real ideas, rather than re-parcelled clichés and sleight of hand, will trickle up from regular citizens who get fed up with these back-patting schemes by an increasingly out-of-touch elite. We then need to force our leadership to get out of the sandbox and move us in a better direction.
Vivian Abriani, Denver
President’s candid conversation with Blair
The video of President Bush in moments of candor quite tellingly reveals why we find ourselves in a faith-based war (it’s certainly not based on any facts) as well as why so many nations dub us the unenlightened giant blundering across the globe. In gun-slinger fashion, Bush exposes his simplistic thinking in comments that were not supposed to be heard, saying he should just tell U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan (Is Kofi Annan an employee of the U.S.?) to call the Syrian president and make something happen. Oh yes, so simple: Bully Syria to intervene, “to get Hezbollah to stop doing this s—, and it’s over.” This shallow assessment is shocking and dangerous. Bush displays no understanding of the complex history, culture, commerce, environment, etc., that have made this part of the world one of continuous turmoil for centuries.
The U.S. and the world cannot afford a leader who doesn’t understand the concepts of diplomacy and interconnectedness necessary in the modern world.
Riki Matthews, Denver
Coverage of elections
Re: “Ritter holds slight edge,” July 17 news story.
These days, reporters report on political contests as though they were horse races, giving day-by- day accounts of who’s ahead and by how much, according to this poll or that. Some undecided voters may be swayed, either positively or negatively, according to a candidate’s latest standing in the polls. I think this is a bad practice. If the voter wasn’t constantly being bombarded by poll results, the candidates might be forced to focus more on the issues and less on photo ops. Winning an election because one candidate’s arguments simply make more sense is, unfortunately, a novel idea. Perhaps we ought to give it a try.
Mel Singer, Denver
Objection to nudity
Re: “Nude statue clothed in controversy,” July 17 news story.
So Kirsten Kokkin’s statue of nudes to go at a traffic roundabout in Loveland is now a problem. Can’t have nudes a whole mile from a church? But isn’t one of the best-known attributes of paradise the nudity of Adam and Eve?
Objections to nudity are based on two things: “I don’t like it” and “What about the children?” They are no basis for the constant censorship in America today. In the first case, why can a personal opinion down a whole art project? In the second, children have no problem with nudity until their body- phobic elders tell them they should.
The objections to the statue by the Abiding Love church show no love at all. If anyone has a problem with the statue, I have a recommendation: Don’t look. It’s also not a good idea to publicize your shortcomings by trying to get others to make you feel better.
Paul Rapoport, Hamilton, Canada
English is No. 2 now?
I never thought I would be a “second class” citizen in my own country. The other day, I had to call my insurance company about my coverage. After getting the normal voice mail, I was asked if I wanted to continue in Spanish (press 1), or in English (press 2). I guess I missed the fact that English is now the second language in the U.S. When did this occur?
Dwight Lindstedt, Longmont
Letter-writer Susan Fantle (July 17 Open Forum) shames all who identify the likes of Ken Lay with greed. She contends that successful business is hardly ever about greed, unless the business is doing something illegal like Enron.
Fantle seems to confuse greed with only “illegal” activity. I don’t think most people would agree with this definition. Many businessmen and corporations would be considered greedy when they legally take advantage of people, either as customers or as employees. Wal-Mart is probably a classic example. Paying employees minimum wages without benefits or full-time employment is not the ethical way to become successful. Many businesses hire only part- time to avoid paying benefits and overtime, and pay only minimum wages to increase their profits. I would call this greedy while not being illegal.
Keith Francis, Morrison
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