Editor,

Regarding Elliott Menashe’s letter published in the June 14 edition of The Record:

I wholeheartedly agree with Elliott that the current WICA [Whidbey Island Center for the Arts] production, “Our Town,” is an excellent rendering of Wilder’s classic and timeless treatment of life and death. Kudos to Mr. Rarick and the entire cast and crew for an excellent show. But wait, that’s just not unusual for WICA productions. Elliott, you are certainly entitled to your opinion, but to say that “standards are lax” for WICA productions is ridiculous.

You state that you “don’t bother much with WICA productions” so how would you know about production standards? Do you base your opinion on your vast experience attending or being involved in community theater? Perhaps you are comparing WICA productions with productions by professional companies like ACT or The Rep, hardly a fair comparison though WICA still holds up well in that light I believe. Of course, that’s just my opinion. An opinion formed, by the way, from directing more than 200 plays, acting in or teaching dozens more and attending hundreds more, including most of those produced at WICA.

I’m certain the cast and crew of “Our Town” appreciates your compliment, but why disparage the dozens of other shows and hundreds of other actors, technicians, stage hands and the WICA staff and volunteers by making such an ill-informed, untrue and unnecessary statement. You are a businessman, Elliott. How much would you appreciate a review that complimented you on a recent job, which was remarkable only because your work is typically sub-standard. Come on now. “Our Town” deserves your praise … WICA deserves better.

Sincerely,

MICHAEL MCINERNEY

Langley