Sound Off: Big support for Beauty and the Beast
The following is what our readers sounded off about this week:
Support for 'Beauty and the Beast'
This week's comments by a contributor concerning the production of "Beauty and the Beast," characterizing it as a mere fairy tale and inappropriate as the initial production in the new Batavia auditorium demonstrate a profound lack of knowledge. "Beauty and the Beast" is one of the most successful Broadway musicals in history. It has toured all over the world and is still revived on a regular basis by major theater companies throughout the country. It is beloved by knowledgeable theater audiences everywhere. Furthermore, this musical is exceptionally difficult to stage. It demands the highest skills in acting, singing, costuming, directing, sets, lighting, stage management, musicianship, in all aspects of theater arts. I was frankly surprised that a high school group would even attempt this show, much less succeed in staging such an excellent production. I cannot even begin to imagine a better way to christen the new auditorium in Batavia. They have set the bar very high. If future productions are even half as good, we are in for many genuine treats in the future. Everyone has a right to express an opinion, but that right does not necessarily confer wisdom. My name is Colin Campbell.
A beloved musical
I am appalled at the negative remarks about "Beauty and the Beast" in Sound Off. A tremendous amount of time and effort goes into deciding which shows will be performed in any given year. As one of the most beloved musicals of all time, "Beauty and the Beast" has grossed more than $1.4 billion worldwide and played in 13 countries and 115 cities. Obviously, it appeals to all ages as a timeless classic. It was the perfect choice as an opening production in our beautiful new theater because it gave a large amount of students an opportunity to participate, it used the many features of our facility (including specialty lighting, trap doors, flight space, etc.), and it provided a tremendous educational experience in terms of teamwork, set construction, vocals, acting, leadership, etc. People from ages 3 to 93 experienced the wonder of our Fine Arts Centre and the incredible talent of our students and staff. In fact, the show was sold out. Not every show will appeal to everyone, nor can it. If you don't care for a particular choice, then attend the next show. In January, "Great Expectations" will be performed. Attend that one, but don't insult the tremendous efforts of the people who worked hard for months to put on an extraordinary show, a show that most all audience members, including senior citizens, said was every bit as good as what is performed in Chicago theaters. This was not "just a school play." And don't belittle the great achievements that putting on a production represents, especially if you didn't see the show. There is much to be learned from the fine arts and just because students devote time to theater doesn't mean they can't do well in finances or excel on state exams. I guarantee that students in the fine arts are some of the highest-achieving students there are. Many of our students pursue careers in fine arts after high school. Because of BHS' commitment to offer great opportunities in music, theater, and art, these students ARE prepared for the real world. My child graduated from BHS, has a theater degree, and has a job. Enough said.
A lot to be proud of
After seeing Batavia's production of "Beauty and the Beast," I am so proud of the children, the students in our community. Students need more than math and science to be successful and to be well-rounded human beings. Test scores, while important, should not be all that define the students. There are many issues facing schools today, but thankfully in Batavia, the opportunity to learn about and participate in the arts is not one of them. Having a healthy arts programming is not a sign of a school system in trouble or one with misguided priorities. Rather, it is a sign of a healthy system that is forward-thinking and cares about the whole student, not just test scores. Our kids will do well, and our community has much to be proud of.
Praise for Pam Otto
I want to thank you very much for Pam Otto being in your paper. She has the greatest of all the articles in there. Thank you very much.
Merra-Lee will be missed
I was shocked and saddened to hear about the Merra-Lee store closing. I had shopped at this store for 30 years and was a frequent shopper because I always received personalized service from wonderful sales associates. The clothing and jewelry I purchased were also good quality. I'd like to say thank you for being a wonderful store. You will be sorely missed.
A proud moment
It was a proud moment for this Batavia alumni Saturday afternoon and evening, to hear the horns and sirens of the police and fire department escort, down Wilson Street, of our Batavia Bulldog football team. We were outside both times, cheering and clapping. I only wish more people knew ahead of time about this heartwarming event, as I'm sure more people from restaurants and other businesses to households and neighborhoods would love to take a moment and stand along Wilson Street and show the same support. I can imagine it means a lot to them. Can someone suggest a way to let the public know in the future, so they can join in. Also, wouldn't it be nice to do the same for each returning soldier.
Post office running out of options
This is in response to the "Need Mail Every Day" caller who said postal employees get high salaries and their insurance paid for, and that the post office needs to check on how they do things to correct this situation. I checked online. The salaries from postal workers go from $50,322 for a postal carrier, up to $62,340 for the postmaster. I don't know that I consider these to be high salaries. As far as insurance, they pay into the federal employee health benefits programs, and the premiums run from $206 to $271 for every paycheck, depending on what plan they choose. It is not free to them. I think the post office is doing all it can, including having their carriers trudge through snow to pick up packages that you leave by your front door for them. The first thing to slice into their profits was fax machines. Now, it's the Internet and emailing. No matter what they do, they cannot compete with the Internet. People no longer sit down and write nice letters, except for myself and a few friends of mine. I, too, would like to continue getting mail every day. But the post office is running out of options. If Saturday mail were stopped, it would save them money, and most businesses are closed on weekends, so it wouldn't affect them.
Beautification? Now?
To push beautification at a time when our country is in economic turmoil and there is so much suffering is criminal. The mayor looks out of the windows in his affluent neighborhood and says, suffering, I don't see any suffering, and continues with his beautification programs with taxpayer money. Why should he worry? It's obvious he gets his three square meals a day.
Feeling left out
We have never expected that since moving to the St. Charles area, that we would be so disappointed. The people just around here are where you're from, what profession are you and things of that nature. They talk about their country clubs, their kids that are making A grades, and all that. Even the church that we belong to, a Catholic church, it's the same difference there. I'm so disappointed since we've moved here. I am so glad that we don't have any kids that go to schools because they would get the same thing as what we have from our neighbors. We feel like outsiders here. We are good people. We pay real estate taxes and everything and donate to the church and the blood drive and everything like that. But this is how it is. I realize not all people are like that. But this is what we're coming across. We're sorry we moved here. We would not recommend for anybody to move to St. Charles. Yes, it's family-oriented, but we're just the two of us. I'm glad we have each other because out here, there's nothing.
A puzzling robbery
I just finished reading the Nov. 12 police reports about a robbery in Batavia. I'm puzzled. Maybe someone can explain to me why there was $1,100 cash at a Batavia School District maintenance building in the first place.
• You can sound off, as well, by calling our Sound Off line at 630-845-5240 or by sending an e-mail to soundoff@kcchronicle.com.
