By Scott Snowden
By Anna Merlan
By Steve Almond
By Jena Ardell
By Jon Campbell
By Alan Scherstuhl
By Tessa Stuart
By Roy Edroso
I was disappointed to read Michael Feingold's reference to the non-Caucasian actors in Tony Kushner's play Homebody/Kabul as "Asian American" ["Disorientalism," January 1]. The actors, including my husband, are Iranian, Palestinian, Egyptian, Indian, and Bengali in origin. Why they weren't referred to as Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian is beyond me. Given the play's themes of East-West culture clash, racially based civil war, genocide, and the horrors resulting from racism and ignorance, it is stunning to me that such an error would be made in your newspaper.
Michael Feingold's review of Tony Kushner's Homebody/Kabul was brilliant. I cannot remember the last time that I went to the theater and subsequently read a review that I felt so honestly and accurately portrayed the theatrical event. As a student of theater who plans on dedicating the rest of his life to it, I cannot tell you how appreciative I am of Mr. Feingold's ability. It is my hope that he will still be reviewing by the time I get to New York.
Sandy Yang's "The Other Ghosts of Ground Zero" [January 1] was a great article. Yang's an excellent storyteller, and I enjoyed reading the piece. I learned so much. Thanks!
Frank Kogan's review of Shakira's album Laundry Service was very descriptive ["River Deep, Freckle High," January 1]. If I tried putting into words how I feel about Shakira's voice, I would fail horribly. Kogan pinpointed it exactly.
Do you think Michael Atkinson's review of Monster's Ball would have been any less complete without revealing a major plot point of the movie ["The Sorrow and the P. Diddy," January 1]? Just asking. What the hell was he thinking?
Michael J. Lott
Los Angeles, California