Criticism Directed at Reviewer’s Remarks

Rarely do I take the time to respond to a review. I must, however, take exception to Mark Chalon Smith’s review of my production of “Lu Ann Hampton Laverty Oberlander” (“ ‘Lu Ann’ Offers Flavor Over Substance,” Calendar, April 12) largely because he is so completely wrong.

Smith says the script “neglects to tell us much about her or how she got to be the person she is.” Nothing is further from the truth. The play is riddled with recall as the character fills us in on the consequences that have shaped her life. Evidently, Smith is far more used to TV, where all one has to do is watch instead of listen.

Smith indicates that a “more complex performance might be able to” transcend the “superficial” script. Deborah-Leigh Schmidt’s performance is so complex that audience members have failed to recognize her as the same actress in all three acts.

Smith’s evaluation of Mark Perkins portrayal of Skip is that “he does pretty well.” What does that mean?

Smith, moreover, missed the carefully layered nuances in the play that make the script strong and actually replicate the sadness and stagnation from decade to decade. To anybody with a trained eye, it is almost painfully obvious that daughter Charmane’s teen-age years mirror those of the now adult Lu Ann, and that her future is just as dim as Lu Ann’s past has been.

This is not a superficial script, only a superficial review / reviewer.

I am sure you won’t have the nerve to print this. What is more unfortunate is that you will continue to print the unsophisticated drivel of Mark Chalon Smith, who desperately needs some classes in dramatic theory and criticism.

WILLIAM WAXMAN

Waxman directed the production of “Lu Ann Hampton Laverty Oberlander,” which continues at the Newport Theatre Arts Center through May 7.