Back Up

(In response to "Developing Story" in the July 21-27 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

It's ok to change your mind. Also things happen in people's lives and economically. I do have a problem with the evictions to have the building and view to himself, though.

To put many people out of there homes when you could've built another building (heck buy the lot next door). Apparently money isn't an issue.

Morally, I would've built myself another building that other people had never slept in rather than to give people such a short time to move for your rich selfishness. You don't know these peoples' hardships or what bad had came their way and you added to it by taking their homes.

Please promote your worthless crap tasting blue vodka somewhere besides Tulsa. If you can't bring a boost to Tulsa then why step Tulsa back with your blue vodka crap.

We don't need another negative without positives!!!

--Mike Jackson

Wait, What?

(In response to "Beginnings and Endings" in the July 21-27 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

Wow!! Sorry, but not used to such outstanding reviews from the New York Times!! Wait, my bad, Urban Tulsa. O'Shansky? Are you really a local? Not for nothing, but this feels like this is a syndicated column. Just saying!

--Ramona M. Munoz

Big Pond

(In response to "Pay to Play" in the July 21-27 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

Wall notes that Tulsa has a pro opera and a pro ballet but not a pro theater. Notice that Tulsa supports only one opera. It can't support two. The ballet is the same. A pro theater in Tulsa will require that -- all but one local theater to drop the goal of being pro.

The ballet and the opera don't supply more than a handful of local performers with a fulltime living. Both import leads or even whole casts. A pro theater would be the same.

Now, many local technicians work fulltime, however the theater people striving for pro status are performers. If they wanted to be fulltime techies they might have better luck. Those not driven to go fulltime may be the wiser local artists. That one isn't shooting for fulltime doesn't mean that one isn't serious about her craft. Yes, amateur theater is shaky and inconsistent in its quality -- those who deny it are part of the problem -- but when it hits it is just as good as pro work.

That said the artist that isn't determined to eventually make a living doing the art has priorities other than the art. The artist driven to make a living from art certainly loves the art more than someone who is comfortable spending the day doing something that is easier to make a living at.

Art isn't the armature's top priority but the amateur is still an artist. "Professional" is easy to define "everyone works with the intention of getting paid." Done. This isn't a guarantee of quality. The goal of creating theater of a "higher caliber" than the armatures produce requires more specificity.

Did you see Nightingale's Just Some Good Ol' Boys? You better be ready to bring it if you're challenging work of that very high, committedly amateur, caliber.

You want to be a pro? A pro theater knows that keeping a show like Oklahoma! fresh after all this time is a huge artistic challenge. It's not hip but it's hard. (Of course Tulsans aren't willing to pay our bills, we think they have no taste and we don't mind telling them that. Not very professional.)

A pro theater will avoid a single-weekend run if possible. It can't break even that way. By the time Tulsa knows you have a show, you're done. Why not work with the other theaters, renting the Doenges for ten weeks? Each week switch out the Thursday, Friday and Saturday spots. Each show performs one a week, but for ten weeks. Now you've got time to spread the word.

In short, yes Virginia there could be a pro theater in Tulsa but there can only be one. No one is willing to take the hit and let someone else's company be that one.

Ironically the company willing to back away and make room for someone else to get there is probably the one company worthy of the goal.

--Justin McKean

Scaring Them Off

(In response to "Developing Story" in the July 21-27 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

The terrifying crime wave that has Tulsa in its' grasp could be a major reason any rational human being would have second thoughts about investing or developing here.

I personally plan to exit Oklahoma in general and Tulsa in particular as soon as possible.

--Becca Wallace

Shallow Pockets

(In response to "The Next Wave" in the July 21-27 issue of Urban Tulsa Weekly)

Was there a study or consideration of storm water drainage improvement to move more storm water to the Arkansas River? I grew up in this area, near 3rd and Peoria Ave., and don't ever remember it flooding. $30 million plus of local and federal taxpayer money -- we can't afford.

--Robert Call

I just wanted to say thank you for making this year's ABoT Music Awards the best ever! I really appreciated your communication and organization of the event and that everything from the musicians, venue, coordinators and artists were efficient and top notch! You all did a fantastic job! Even though I didn't know anybody, I felt very comfortable and at ease with everyone. To perform my original song "Color Me Blue" on that stage with that orchestra was over the top! I was proud to be a small part of Urban Tulsa's Absolute Best of Tulsa!

--Angie Cockrell