Sondheim v. Webber

Hey, can I join in on this Stephen Sondheim-Andrew Lloyd Webber title fight too (Saturday Letters, Feb. 6 and Jan. 13)? I wish people (critics and the public alike) would stop bashing each other over this silly stew Dan Sullivan stirred up (“A Tame ‘Phantom’ in New York,” Jan. 27).

I recently saw my seventh production of “Side by Side by Sondheim” and, as I can tell, it is the definitive “SxSxS.” For those who love Sondheim--and for those who hate him, or think they do--I urge you to see the production at the Colony Studio Theatre Playhouse. It will more than satisfy Sondheim freaks (like myself) and surprise and delight Webber fans (like myself) with more action, laughter and glitz.

So stop fighting, Sondheimers. Pull in your claws, Webberites. It all just boils down to different styles in music writing. One is not better than the other, just different.

Go see a show tonight, calm down, and enjoy. It’s a tie.

MATTHEW WALYSON

Los Angeles