RAT Yessiree, that's God's Work they're doing all right...

[Jeffrey Jones <Diogenes_@compuserve.com>]

A Mr. T.D. from the city of the Angels, finding himself before a sizeable
audience, wonders aloud: "Why are we spending so much money producing
plays?"

A Mr. T.H., from the sunny seaside town of San Diego, offers the remarks:
"We have not been in the running for some projects because the commercial
producers wanted more front-end control,"  and then goes on to say:  "Our
audience has been developed not to need 10 sets that fly. But when you move
into a commercial situation, this [lack of lavish sets] wouldn't be
acceptable."

>From the New York island, the eminent R.L., pipes up: "It's fine to be a
shop window [for Broadway producers], but it's dangerous when they say,
'Can I use your theater?'

To which Mr. C.D., from the heart of downtown Los Angeles, responds: "In
fact, if more than one commercial partnership were offered for a single
season, we'd say, 'We've got one, and that's enough.' " 

T.H. concurs once more: "A theater's leaders should educate board members
not to expect frequent doses of Broadway backing," he said. 

And summing up the week's proceedings, the most Reverend B.C., of the
Cathedral of the Funded Ghost(TM), can be heard, intoning:  "The value of
feeling the most private of feelings in the most public of settings"--a
primary mission of theater--is worth the hassles. ... "It is God's work we
do." 

Sometimes, friend, even el Cínico is left slack-jawed and speechless at the
sanctimonious spew--the sheer godawful floodtide of shameless and
selfserving drivel--that spools from the mouths of his elders and betters. 

You can't make this shit up. Wake up--it's Morning in America, pal.