To the editors:
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Let’s talk about the reviewer’s obligation to the reader. Obejas never acknowledges the consistent laughter from the rest of the folks. By what rationale? Those laughing people looked just as real as Obejas’s scowl. Seems to me the reader’s entitled to the facts, even the ones that undermine the reviewer’s dogma. This is a general circulation paper, not Obejas’s diary, and with that comes responsibility.
And if it’s my word against hers about the response of our actual audience (not the dour tribunal of the reviewer’s longings), I’ve got the goods. The audience filled out comment sheets, anonymously. Not everyone liked every sketch, but everyone–and I mean everyone–liked the show. (Want to publish those audience comments, Reader, just for balance?) Some loved it, raved about it, said they’d bring their friends. Which they’re doing. We’ve had standing room only every night, and we have lots of reservations for the rest of the run at Puszh Studios. We’ve also been invited to do four weeks at another theater. All without the benefit of a Reader ad.
So here’s a proposal that extends to actual people, which probably excludes the Brahmans at the Reader. I’ll guarantee Dream House. Come and give it your own review. If you don’t like it, show us a copy of this letter and we’ll refund your dough. Then you’ll have had a freebie, like Obejas and the companion we comped in.
