PUBLISHED ON May 17, 2008
Yakima Herald-Republic
Section: Opinion/Editorials
Wonderful Cinco
To the editor -- On behalf of the Hispanic Professionals Association, I would like to thank the Morelia Sister City Association for the wonderful time I had watching the Folkorico Quetzalli de Vera Cruz at the Capitol Theatre on May 1, also the dinner on May 2 at The Seasons. The Mariachi Los Trovadore, the dancers Bailadores de Sol Aztec and then the concert by Bola Suriana were great. I'm looking forward to the next Cinco de Mayo.
SALLY ROSALES
Yakima
PUBLISHED ON May 12, 2008
Yakima Herald-Republic
Section: Opinion/Editorials
A great Cinco de Mayo
To the editor -- I would like to publicly recognize and thank the Yakima-Morelia Sister City Association for the great event they put on in the evenings of May 1-2 to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and to honor our association with the city of Morelia in the Mexican State of Michoacán.
The Ballet Folkiorico was very beautiful and educational on Thursday night, and Friday night's dinner (with accompanying mariachi music) and the evening's entertainment, provided by the internationally known Morelia musicians, Bola Suriana, were all outstanding.
This event was a credit to our city and to the cultural diversity that makes it an interesting and vibrant community. I hope more of our citizens will plan to turn out for this annual event next Cinco de Mayo -- they will be happy they did!
SUSAN PAYNE
Yakima
PUBLISHED ON March 31, 2008
Yakima Herald-Republic
Section: Opinion/Editorials
Blending the old and the new
To the editor - Having been raised in Yakima, I recognize our need to move into the 21st century and join our neighbors in Seattle and Spokane who are working so hard to update neighborhoods that have had little attention paid to them. It's this type of willingness to change that makes those cities so successful.
That's why I am more than shocked at the resistance being voiced toward the Capitol Theatre expansion. One of the things that I love about Seattle is its careful blend of classic architecture and culture with modern advances. Our city needs this expansion and will find that it does not diminish the strong architectural history in downtown Yakima, but rather, supports our long-time appreciation for who we are as a community.
No one is trying bury our roots with skyscrapers. They're simply trying to blend the old with the new.
I want to thank all of those who are involved in the expansion for having the vision to do something truly great. You are bringing something to Yakima that we will be able to enjoy and appreciate for many, many years to come.
DANIELLE HEINEN
Yakima
PUBLISHED ON November 24, 2007
Yakima Herald-Republic
Section: Opinion/Editorials
Uplifting choral concert
With all the negative letters appearing these past couple of weeks, I just wanted to bring something positive.
On Nov. 10, we attended the Camarata Club's concert at the Capitol Theatre. What an uplifting experience. The Camarata Club did a superb job of mixing a "Tribute to Irving Berlin," sacred, American and patriotic music. So did their guests, the West Valley Panthers Junior High School choir and the Zillah Community Chorus.
Thank you for such an enjoyable evening.
RUTH MERRITT
Yakima
PUBLISHED ON November 20, 2007
Yakima Herald-Republic
Section: Opinion/Editorials
PRODUCERS BOO
Stunned by play's content To the editor - My husband wanted to surprise me with tickets to see a Broadway musical, "The Producers," at the Capitol Theatre on Nov. 17. We were both very surprised.
We saw producers, assistants and others endeavoring to produce a play. They were hoping to have a flop, close it down and pick up the remaining finances.
Eventually, after enlisting other people and groups, they did succeed in producing a successful musical called "Springtime for Hitler."
We saw the SS troops with swastika armbands, German soldiers in uniforms and even Hitler sang and danced.
Our President Roosevelt appeared on stage in his wheelchair - Hitler pushed him off the stage.
Sunday morning I awoke and was sure it had all been a dream. No! That really happened at the Capitol Theatre in Yakima in the United States of America.
A tribute to a monster responsible for millions of deaths.
AUDREY JESKEY
Prosser
PUBLISHED ON November 17, 2007
Yakima Herald-Republic
Section: Opinion/Editorials
Satire wasn't funny
To the editor - On Nov. 17, my wife and I attended the award-winning play "The Producers" at the Capitol Theatre. I came away with mixed emotions. The singing, acting and dancing were top notch as usual. However, the general theme was unsettling. The plot involves two characters trying to produce a Broadway play that would fail but would make them rich through "creative accounting." But their surefire flop, "Springtime for Hitler," became a hit instead, landing them in trouble.
I realize this was supposed to be a satire comedy, but I failed to see any humor. When I think that just a week earlier this country celebrated Veterans Day to honor military veterans who have given so much, I find this sort of entertainment disgusting. Thousands upon thousands of lives were lost worldwide due to the Nazi movement and from that Mel Brooks writes a comedy?
The crowning blow, though, was when two large flags with swastikas were dropped down as a stage background. A week ago in the same theater, the Camerata Club ended its concert by singing a salute to all of the military branches in honor of Veterans Day and a large American flag was lowered. There were many compliments from the audience for that, along with many tears.
In light of that, I thought it was in rather poor taste to put on a Broadway play depicting the Nazi movement, even in satire. I think we could do better in the selection of future plays for our grand theater.
DICK SCHUT
Yakima
