November 25, 2002: Vol. 25, No. 46

To the editor:

As a confirmed Brooklynite, I have picked up your paper pretty regularly over the years, and have gone through it casually, with hardly the attention you might expect I give the New York Times or my New Yorker except to notice your evident growth - more editorial content, color, etc. - and to become somewhat aware you had a writer named Paulanne Simmons.

Imagine my surprise therefore when for some reason instead of giving my cursory attention to reviews of local cultural events I no longer had any desire to attend (I was an avid member of the pioneer "revival" of The Heights as an early renovator of a brownstone in which three kids were born) - I found myself responding to the tone and excellence of the writing of Ms. Simmons in the Nov. 11 issue with her handling of "Picnic" ["Keep your shirt on"] and her recounting of the productions, and history, of the new and old "Woyzeck/Wozzeck" ["Angst to spare"], even her article on the origin of the teddy bear ["Teddy’s b’day"]. (The daughter of a close friend of my parents married the Michtons’ son - a heart specialist, but I wander.)

What I really want to say is that this lady can write! Write well! Write professionally, and captivatingly and I’d like to go on the record as appreciating her, and recognizing her. If it gives her any pleasure, I tip my hat (or would if I had one) to Paulanne Simmons, and request her editors do so (again, I hope!) also.

©2002 The Brooklyn Paper