The Silenced Voice of a Kindred Spirit

It’s hard to accept that Frank Zappa has died. Twenty years of my life have his persona indelibly stamped on them. My youth was undeniably tied to him. In many ways he was to me a symbol of that youth. Now I feel very old, for until now there was a voice crying out against the mundane and miserable that passes for art in America. There was that sardonic smile as his musical rapiers tore away at the fabric of our collective unconscious.

Now that voice is silenced.

I feel the loss of a kindred spirit, of a person I could relate to even though we never exchanged words. It’s as if the solitary voice of outrage is gone. There is no one to pick up the mantle, no one to carry on the tradition of rebellion against the unfeeling technocrats that dictate our mores.

We will be goaded into action no longer, for there is no one who will risk the alienation of speaking against a culture gone terribly awry. More than a man died. My childhood died as well. Peace.

CRAIG SIMMONS

North Hollywood

Glenn Close’s ‘Sunset’

At a recent performance of “Sunset Boulevard,” a Shubert Theatre employee was pushing CD and cassette singles of Glenn Close singing the musical’s “The Perfect Year” by telling us that it was the only recording we were likely to get of Close because Patti LuPone will be singing on the American cast recording.

Talk about an ill-conceived notion. Glenn Close is nothing short of stunning as Norma Desmond. She brings a haunting singing voice to the role and, of course, her immense acting talents. From what I’ve read of the London version, LuPone’s belting style causes more problems than it solves. Why release a recording with a singer who is apparently not right for the role?

There are a lot of people who can’t afford to see “Sunset Boulevard” on stage. To rob them of the chance to hear Close--who will long be remembered for this performance--by not issuing a soundtrack of this mesmerizing L.A. production would be almost unforgivable.

JOHN SINGH

Van Nuys

The Sound of Swanson

In his review of “Sunset Boulevard” (“Walking the ‘Boulevard’ With a Cinephile,” Dec. 10), Kenneth Turan seems to be of two minds. He says Gloria Swanson was a silent screen movie star “stymied by sound,” then goes on to praise her highly for her Norma Desmond. It so happens that she made the transition to sound very easily, recording splendidly and singing very well too. It was a selection of poor pictures that temporarily ended her career on the screen. Perhaps Turan mistakenly thinks the version of “Sunset Boulevard” was silent?

JACK P. GABRIEL

Carson

Recipe for Laughter

Re “Whoopi in New Controversy” (Morning Report, Dec. 2):

Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, did not find Whoopi Goldberg’s “Jewish American Princess” recipe to be funny and said “it raises all the ugly anti-Semitic stereotypes.”

I am a Jewish woman, and, when I hear any comment that I consider to be anti-Semitic, I am the first one to speak up.

However, with regard to Goldberg’s recipe, I think Foxman should lighten up! I thought it was very funny, and, frankly, since the only thing I can make for dinner is a reservation, I welcome new recipes.

MARLENE SWISLOW

Los Angeles

‘Gypsy’ Gets in the Way

Just want to thank CBS for the stimulating three hours of commercials Sunday night. Could have lived without those annoying clips from “Gypsy” that they insisted on sticking between Lipton’s Golden Saute and Lincoln-Mercury, and hope they can do away with such irritating intrusions in the future. After all, if we wanted entertainment, we’d watch cable.

STEVE KLUGER

PATRICE COOK

Los Angeles