Letter to the editor

Sept. 3, 2010

To the editor:

For the most part I enjoyed Laurie Schammel’s letter (Great Theater, Friday, Sept. 3) praising the wonderful Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre, Bruce Rogers and Graham Watts. I also have enjoyed many of their productions. However, she lost me when she said community theater only does “light, fluffy, funny shows with mediocre actors.” I’ve enjoyed many Fairbanks Drama Association productions across the years. They do serious plays as well as comedies. These are performed by actors I would not describe as mediocre. As with any theater company, there is a range of talent from good to excellent to exceptional. Every time I attend a production I feel that it’s the best show I’ve ever seen.

What’s wrong with light, fluffy and funny anyway? In these times of war, political bipartisanship and economic hardship, it’s hard to beat a couple of hours laughing until I’m breathless. I’ve taken my son to many plays sharing my love of theater with him. His favorite shows are the comedies, and I cherish the memories of him laughing so hard I thought he was going to fall out of his seat.

I want to mention the Fairbanks Light Opera Theatre as well since I’m sure many of their shows qualify as light, fluffy and funny. Although perhaps not “Sweeny Todd” which was as good a performance of musical theater as I’ve seen anywhere and I’ve seen shows on Broadway, in Washington, D.C., Seattle and San Francisco. “Into the Woods” is coming soon and I can’t wait to see it.

Community theater in Fairbanks is a treasure and I’m grateful for it. Excellent theater a 15-minute drive from my house with no traffic or parking problems at a reasonable price. Does it get any better than that?