Letters to the Editor
We welcome your letters and opinions. We will edit when necessary. Include your name, address and phone number for verification. Mail them to Bay Weekly, P.O. Box 358, Deale, MD 20751 • E-mail them to us at [email protected].
Colonial Players Cancels The Piano Lesson
Dear Bay Weekly:
I would like to express Colonial Players’ appreciation of your support and coverage over the years. As a vital part of the arts in Anne Arundel County, it is important that Colonial Players’ events receive as much coverage as possible.
For the first time in our 54-year history, we were forced to cancel a production due to the illness of a cast member. Because of the very physical nature of the role, bringing a stand-in onstage with a book was not a viable option. Community theater seldom, if ever, casts understudies. Most local theater actors are volunteers, and it is difficult to ask someone to commit the time and energy to rehearsal, as well as being available for the entire run with only a small chance of appearing onstage.
While we appreciate the recent coverage you gave us concerning cancellation of The Piano Lesson [“The Show Goes On,” Vol. XI, No. 44: Oct. 30], I was disappointed to see the personal medical details, not only of this show, but our earlier production, published in the paper. I understand the paper is interested in the human interest aspect of the story, but that was private health information. I do not know where you obtained it, it was not from me.
The only legitimate ways for that information to have been obtained would have been a signed release from the individual actors, or at the very least, an opportunity for me, as spokesman for the organization, to obtain a release from the individuals. I am most disappointed I was not even contacted for comment.
I would ask in the future, before publishing privacy related information, you at least afford me an opportunity to obtain a release from the individuals concerned. Again, I do appreciate the coverage you’ve given our theater and look forward to cooperating with you in the future.
— Kenneth R. Sabel: Marketing and Community Relations Director, The Colonial Players, Inc.
Editor’s note: The Piano Lesson was canceled after Bay Weekly went to press with the story reporting the Players’ earlier decisions to audition actors to fill the part of the stricken lead.
As a newspaper, it is Bay Weekly’s job to find and report the news without mystery or obfuscation; it is Ken Sabel’s job to market the news.
Getting Personal on Oyster Recovery
Dear Bay Weekly:
I read Mr. Wisner’s drifty, dreamy drivel about too many kiddoes [Letters, Vol. XI, No. 44: Oct. 30] and thought, Gee, Tom, that’s nice. Now shut up and go play with your puppet.
Let’s get real. There’s too much s_ _t in the Bay. If we stay on the ball, we can fix this. Another poet once said, “Get out of the way if you can’t lend a hand, ’cause the times, they are a changin’.”
’Nuff said.
— Christopher Jensen, Shady Side
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