GANGING UP ON THE PLAYWRIGHT’S BABY

While I must commend the writing in Isenberg’s cover story and Dan Sullivan’s incisive comment upon it (“Pardon My Input”), I feel certain “Trade Secrets” have been betrayed.

As a producer of more than 100 shows in the last 17 years, I must reluctantly agree that “The Process” as described is far too often what a playwright must endure to get his or her work on the boards.

Often the final result is a better, but nonetheless different, structure than what appeared at the first read-around, and I am afraid that after reading Isenberg’s article, certain very talented but gun-shy playwrights might be reluctant to submit their “baby” to the process, even if the process nurtures it through adolescence to a theatrical afterlife.

RICHARD NIEDERBERG

Artistic Director

Los Angeles Designers’ Theatre

Studio City