THEATER: Why I remain a fan

I, like Don Phelan (Letter, Aug. 18), have regularly attended the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre for the past 12 years. However, unlike Mr. Phelan, I’ve chosen to remain a season ticket holder.

Mr. Phelan states that in the past couple of years he has been more selective with the productions he attends because several of them seem to have a “very liberal focus on social issues.”

I’m not sure what filter he uses to make this determination, but clearly he wants to avoid plays that might give him new insight or a different perspective on the human condition. (I also wonder how he is able to discern exactly which plays will fit his criterion before he’s even seen them.) Using Mr. Phelan’s “liberal focus,” I would be surprised if he chose any play this season.

The common theme throughout the plays was: No matter how entrenched someone is in his or her belief system, we each have the capacity to grow and change.

Each one of these plays creatively and humanely portrays both the beauty and the flaws of humankind. We may not always like the reflection, but we come away much the better for it. If that is a “liberal focus,” then I’m all for it.

Thanks to the superb artistic direction of Roger Welch and the uncommon wealth of talent, our community has been enriched with both the magic and yes, the lessons, of quality musical theater. I fiercely hope we pull together to ensure this continues.

LYNDALL COOK

Coeur d’Alene