Theatre Center’s Financial Woes

The desperate efforts of the Los Angeles Theatre Center to stay alive again show how fragile remains the state of this city’s live theater.

As a veteran theater publicist here, I have always been aware that there is only one major newspaper in this city and without its help and understanding there is little hope for the legitimate stage.

For many years The Times has afforded movie houses a special low advertising rate in return for screen promotion of the newspaper. For many years theater publicists here pleaded with the newspaper to somehow provide similar necessary exposure. The New York Times and other U.S. papers have for years allowed the “ABC” directory (listing current stage offerings in alphabetical order) at special rates; this has helped make Broadway the famed draw it is for audiences from around the world.

Bushnell’s struggle to stay alive might not have been so traumatic had his theater--like so many others in this area--been allowed the essential exposure necessary from this city’s leading publication.

BILL WATTERS

Los Angeles