Mesmerizing Minutes

As an appreciative member of Karen Goodman’s audience at the Luckman, I resent Lewis Segal’s unwarranted negative comments in his review of her 75-minute solo (“ ‘Close Dancing’ Proves Distant From Intimacy,” Oct. 17). Based on his comments, one would conclude that Goodman--heretofore, as he admits, a “deeply intelligent and purposeful dancer-choreographer”--failed to achieve intimacy with her audience because her ego has nearly turned her into a parody of herself. He does admit she received a standing ovation.

From my vantage point, she received her standing ovation because, during those mesmerizing 75 minutes, Goodman, through impeccable dance, amusing song and provocative text, intimately connected with her audience as the artist she is. I know I wasn’t the only one whose eyes misted over throughout the event.

Failed to achieve intimacy with the audience? Hogwash!

PAM EDLER

Westchester

*

I nearly wept when I read Segal’s mean-spirited and totally off-base comments about Goodman’s failure to achieve intimacy with her audience or to use her own voice.

My husband and I and two friends were in that audience. We were grateful to be there, for what Karen Goodman managed to artfully accomplish for 75 body-and-soul moments was to make us laugh, cry and think through her eloquent dance and text.

ELVI SWANSON

Los Angeles